Wales' Jordan James scores the Welsh team to crucial World Cup qualifying win against the Liechtenstein national team.

The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James claimed his maiden international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for over an hour. James celebrated in elation with his clear emotion echoed by the 3,000 Wales followers occupying most sections of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, Jordan James was booked and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia through suspension.

The home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to move above North Macedonia and obtain a improved seeding in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an different vantage point from the stands, the head coach undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a second yellow card in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in situations that might hamper their team.

The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in 23 times at an rate of around four per fixture.

The visitors unsurprisingly had most of the play as Liechtenstein adopted a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until the forward's pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by the goalkeeper.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan locating his teammate on this occasion with a precise ball behind the defence.

Broadhead’s superb control beat the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the match official was sent to the VAR screen and ruled that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors raised the tempo after the break and Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which Daniel James struck the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it began to look like a frustrating evening for Wales.

But, with the game having reached its 61st minute, Williams executed a clever through ball for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James bypassed the goalkeeper with a excellent pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple job of ending Wales' tension.

Kyle Vaughn
Kyle Vaughn

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