Jordan James nets the Welsh team to crucial World Cup qualifying victory against the Liechtenstein national team.

Wales secured a tight 1-0 win over underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder claimed his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's group of professionals, office workers and students had defended for over an hour. James wheeled away in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Welsh fans filling multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Shortly after, however, James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner ensured the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

The Wales' ground fixture is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and obtain a better draw in the playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the stands, Bellamy completing a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the final qualifier. Two of them were booked in situations that may damage Wales.

Liechtenstein, situated near the bottom in global rankings, had failed to score in their winless run and let in 23 times at an rate of nearly four per match.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan locating Broadhead now with a well-weighted pass over the top.

The attacker's excellent touch evaded the keeper but the attacker failed to finish from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after the first half when Jordan James headed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and ruled that a player of the Wales defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas delivered a ball to the back post which the winger hit the woodwork.

Williams then missed with a header from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like one of those nights for the Welsh side.

However, with the contest having reached its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a intelligent assist for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a excellent pass into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward job of ending Wales' tension.

Heidi Porter
Heidi Porter

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