🔗 Share this article

Wales secured a tight 1-0 victory against underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Wales' James scored his first international strike for Wales from inside the box after the home side's group of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his clear emotion echoed by the large contingent of Wales fans filling multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Moments later, yet, James was cautioned and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu means both midfielders are unavailable for the upcoming crunch tie with North Macedonia through accumulated bookings.

The home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to move above North Macedonia and obtain a more favourable draw in the playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different view from the stands, the Wales manager completing a technical area prohibition after receiving a additional booking in the tournament last month.

Bellamy’s number two Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the final qualifier. Two of them came unstuck in incidents that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, ranked among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an rate of nearly four per fixture.

Wales predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a deep defensive line and got bodies behind the ball.

Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Broadhead chasing down forced an error and Jordan James saw his effort from the penalty area saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan picking out Broadhead now with a well-weighted pass into space.

Broadhead’s fine control beat the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales thought they had scored the opener after the first half when James directed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were curtailed when the match official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and determined that a player of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside from James’s header.

The visitors raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the back post which James hit the woodwork.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the goal area as it appeared like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the game having reached its second half, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent pass for Daniel James to run past the opposition backline.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple job of easing Welsh anxiety.