Wales' Jordan James scores Wales to crucial World Cup qualifying victory over the Liechtenstein national team.
Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals progress.
Jordan James scored his first international strike for the national team from near the goal after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement echoed by the large contingent of Wales fans occupying three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.
Shortly after, however, James was booked and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesdayโs crucial match with North Macedonia due to suspension.
That home venue contest is a encounter Wales must win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in next spring.
The Wales manager had an unusual view from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a technical area prohibition after receiving a additional booking in the tournament previously.
Bellamyโs number two his assistant assumed duties in the dugout and four of Walesโs starters โ Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams โ were a booking away from missing the last group game. Two of them were booked in incidents that may damage Wales.
Liechtenstein, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 goals at an rate of around four per fixture.
Wales unsurprisingly dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.
Liechtenstein's net was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his effort from the 18-yard line pushed aside by Benjamin Bรผchel.
A similar move worked the next opening, James picking out Broadhead this time with a precise delivery behind the defence.
The attacker's superb first touch beat the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.
The Welsh team felt they taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James directed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.
Bรผchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were curtailed when the referee was directed to the pitchside monitor and decided that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jamesโs initial touch.
Wales increased the pressure after the break and Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which James struck the crossbar.
Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it appeared like one of those nights for the Welsh side.
Yet, with the contest having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams played a shrewd pass for Daniel James to run past the home defence.
Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a excellent cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward opportunity of ending Welsh tension.
