🔗 Share this article

The Welsh side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their chances of World Cup finals qualification.

Jordan James claimed his first goal for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. James wheeled away in delight with his clear emotion mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh supporters packed into three sides of the venue in Vaduz.

Moments later, however, Jordan James was cautioned and another yellow for his midfield partner resulted in the two players are ruled out for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The Wales' ground contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to overtake North Macedonia and obtain a better draw in the playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the dugout, the head coach undertaking a touchline ban after receiving a further caution in the competition earlier.

The manager's deputy Piet Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. A pair were booked in moments that might hamper Wales.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in 23 times at an average of around four per game.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, Jordan picking out his teammate now with a accurate pass into space.

Broadhead’s excellent control took him past the keeper but the attacker failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team felt they scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the official was instructed to the video review system and ruled that a player of the Wales central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the back post which James rattled against the woodwork.

Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for Wales.

However, with the match having entered its 61st minute, Williams executed a clever pass for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.

James beat Büchel with a excellent ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the easy job of ending Welsh nerves.