Jordan James nets Wales to important World Cup victory against Liechtenstein.

The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 victory against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals progress.

Jordan James notched his debut goal for the national team from close range after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, amateurs and students had resisted for over an hour. The scorer ran off in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the three thousand Wales supporters filling most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was booked and a further late caution for his midfield partner means both midfielders are ruled out for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia due to suspension.

The Wales' ground match is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and guarantee a improved position in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, Bellamy completing a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the last group game. A pair were booked in moments that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, placed near the bottom in international football, had been goalless in their winless run and let in twenty-three times at an rate of nearly four per match.

Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James finding Broadhead on this occasion with a precise delivery over the top.

The attacker's excellent control took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after the opening period when James nodded a deep Thomas corner back into a packed penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were cut short when the match official was instructed to the video review system and decided that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which the winger struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having reached its 61st minute, Williams played a clever through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy opportunity of easing Welsh nerves.

Carolyn Hickman
Carolyn Hickman

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