The young midfielder James fires the Welsh team to vital World Cup qualifying triumph versus Liechtenstein.

The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup qualification.

Jordan James claimed his maiden international strike for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for more than 60 minutes. James celebrated in elation with his clear emotion mirrored by the large contingent of Wales fans occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, though, James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner means the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia due to suspension.

The Wales' ground contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to leapfrog North Macedonia and obtain a more favourable position in the playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an different vantage point from the sidelines, the head coach completing a sideline suspension after being shown a additional booking in the tournament earlier.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. Two of them were booked in moments that could really hurt Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three times at an average of around four per fixture.

The visitors as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal remained unthreatened until the forward's high press won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing crafted an opportunity, Jordan picking out Broadhead now with a accurate delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's excellent first touch evaded the keeper but the attacker was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when James headed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a crowded six-yard box.

BĂĽchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were cut short when the referee was sent to the video review system and decided that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the far post which the winger struck the woodwork.

Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it appeared like one of those nights for Wales.

However, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a shrewd assist for Daniel James to run past the opposition backline.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a excellent pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the simple job of relieving Welsh nerves.

Benjamin Williams
Benjamin Williams

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