Wales' Jordan James fires Wales to important World Cup victory versus Liechtenstein.
The Welsh side earned a tight 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup qualifying.
Wales' James notched his maiden goal for the national team from close range after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. James celebrated in elation with his obvious relief echoed by the three thousand Welsh followers filling three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.
Moments later, yet, James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner ensured both midfielders are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.
The home venue fixture is a clash Wales must win to move above North Macedonia and secure a improved seeding in the playoffs in March.
Bellamy had an different vantage point from the stands, the head coach serving a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the competition earlier.
The manager's assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and several key players โ Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams โ were at risk of suspension from sitting out the last group game. A pair came unstuck in incidents that could really hurt their team.
Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had not scored in their winless run and allowed 23 goals at an rate of almost four per fixture.
Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.
Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead chasing down won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by Benjamin Bรผchel.
The same combination worked the next opening, Jordan finding Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted ball into space.
Broadheadโs excellent first touch took him past the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a narrow position.
The Welsh team believed they'd taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.
The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch reached Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and decided that a player of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.
Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which the winger struck the woodwork.
Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.
Yet, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Williams executed a shrewd through ball for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.
James cut out Bรผchel with a excellent pass along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple task of ending Wales' anxiety.
