Wales' Jordan James nets the Welsh team to important World Cup qualifying victory versus the Liechtenstein national team.
Wales earned a tight 1-0 success over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup progress.
Wales' James notched his debut international strike for Wales from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. James ran off in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh fans occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.
Soon afterwards, however, James was cautioned and a further late caution for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to suspension.
The Wales' ground contest is a game the Welsh team need to win to move above their rivals and secure a improved position in the final round in March.
The Wales manager had an unfamiliar vantage point from the stands, Bellamy completing a sideline suspension after picking up a additional booking in the qualifiers last month.
Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from missing the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in incidents that might hamper Wales.
Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per match.
Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.
Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his shot from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.
The same combination crafted an opportunity, Jordan finding Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted pass into space.
The attacker's excellent first touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a difficult angle.
Wales felt they scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James directed a deep Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded penalty box.
The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and decided that one or more of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s initial touch.
The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which Daniel James hit the woodwork.
Neco Williams then directed his header off target from inside the goal area as it began to look like a frustrating evening for Wales.
However, with the contest having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.
Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward task of ending Welsh tension.
