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AMMAN: Shabab Al Ordun tasted AFC Cup glory for the very first time after completing a 2-1 aggregate victory over defending champions Al Faisaly at the Amman International stadium on Friday. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in the same venue a week ago, Al Faisaly levelled the tie through Haitham Al Shboul's early strike before Mustafa Aburomeh proved to be the hero for Shabab Al Ordun as the 29-year-old striker grabbed an equaliser just before half-time.

Al Faisaly made four changes to the side, which had narrowly lost the first encounter as suspended trio Lo'ai Al Amaireh, Mohammed Khamees and Hassouneh Al Sheikh all returned at the expense of Zapen Al Khawaldeh, Hussein Odtallah and Moayad Mansour, while Moayad Abukeshek replaced Anas Hijah in attack.

Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ordun coach Nizar Mahrous brought in striker Mustafa Aburomeh for Bassam Khatib while Waseem Al Bzoor, who also missed the first leg through suspension, came in for Tarek Al Kronz.

Needing to come from behind to win their third consecutive AFC Cup, Al Faisaly were much the better side from the start and made the vital breakthrough after just 13 minutes in somewhat fortunate circumstances as Al Shboul's deep free kick from the left was completely misjudged by Shabab Al Ordun goalkeeper Ahmad Nawwas and went straight into the back of the net. The early setback stunned Shabab Al Ordun, although they had half a chance to get back on terms 10 minutes later but Aburomeh was denied by a well-timed challenge from defender Mohammed Monir.

Al Faisaly then had an opportunity to doubled their advantage and take the lead on aggregate four minutes before the break but Iraqi defender Haider Hussain fired a shot from the edge of the area straight at Nawwas.

And the defending champions were left to rue that miss as Shabab Al Ordun levelled the game in the 43rd minute when Saleh Taha's tempting cross from the right was headed home by an unmarked Aburomeh 12 yards out.

Al Faisaly almost retook the lead five minutes after the restart when Baha' Suleiman's low cross from the left flank was met by Siraj Al Tall but Nawwas did well to save with his feet from close range.

Al Faisaly kept up the pressure and came even closer to scoring just after the hour mark but Qusai Abu Alieh's powerful free-kick smacked the crossbar.

Abdelhadi Al Maharmeh could then have wrapped it up for Shabab Al Ordun eight minutes from time but Nawwas produced an excellent save to keep out the substitute's firm header. It did not matter in the end, however, as Shabab Al Ordun held on for the draw they needed to claim the first continental title in their history.

Shabab Al Ordun coach Nizar Mahrous believed his side were worthy winners and lifting the trophy was just reward for all the work they had put in over the course of the tournament. "This is a historical achievement for us," said Mahrous.

"We defeated one of the best sides in Jordan, it was great to beat a big team like Al Faisaly. "We are a young side but we had what it takes to win the title. All the efforts of the players, the technical staff and the administration played a part in this impressive achievement. "It was a real final in all aspects of the game and there were a lot of chances besides the two goals," he added.

"However, both sides could only manage a goal each. I think that the result was fair and it was great to win the title on aggregate." Al Faisaly's technical manager Adnan Hamad was left to rue missed chances as his side failed in their bid to win a third consecutive crown. "We controlled the game and we had plenty of early pressure tonight," said Hamad. "We had a lot of chances to score but could only manage one goal. Shabab Al Ordun relied on the counter attack and managed to nick one goal. In football if you don't score, you will concede goals. "The defeat doesn't mean that we are a bad side," he added.

"Our players were tired from a tough schedule as we had to travel to Tunisia after the first leg and we played three big games in a week."