Wales' Jordan James scores Wales to important World Cup triumph against Liechtenstein.
Wales earned a tight 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.
The young midfielder notched his debut goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh fans packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.
Moments later, though, James was shown a yellow card and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.
That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a clash Wales need to win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a better draw in the playoffs in March.
Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, the head coach completing a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.
The manager's assistant Cremers took his place in the technical area and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in situations that might hamper Wales.
Liechtenstein, placed among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an rate of nearly four per game.
The visitors as expected had most of the play as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.
The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin BĂĽchel.
That pairing crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery into space.
Broadhead’s excellent first touch evaded the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a narrow position.
Wales felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.
The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the official was instructed to the VAR screen and decided that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.
The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas delivered a cross to the back post which Daniel James struck the frame of the goal.
Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it began to look like a difficult match for the Welsh side.
However, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent pass for Daniel James to run past the opposition backline.
Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb ball across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan had the easy task of relieving Welsh tension.
