Wales' Jordan James nets Wales to vital World Cup triumph against Liechtenstein.
Wales claimed a tight 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup qualification.
Wales' James scored his maiden goal for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and students had defended for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales followers filling multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.
Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was cautioned and a further late caution for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are unavailable for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents due to suspension.
That home venue fixture is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake their rivals and guarantee a improved position in the playoffs in March.
Bellamy had an different perspective from the sidelines, the Wales manager serving a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers earlier.
Bellamy’s number two his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the concluding match. Two of them were booked in incidents that might hamper their team.
The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an rate of around four per fixture.
Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts employed a compact shape and packed their defence.
Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead chasing down caused a mistake and James saw his shot from the 18-yard line saved by Büchel.
That pairing created another chance, James picking out his teammate now with a accurate delivery over the top.
The attacker's excellent first touch beat the keeper but the attacker failed to finish from a narrow position.
The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James headed a high Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.
The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were cut short when the official was sent to the pitchside monitor and decided that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.
Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas sent in a cross to the back post which the winger rattled against the woodwork.
Williams then directed his header off target from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a frustrating evening for Wales.
Yet, with the game having entered its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent pass for Daniel James to get in behind the home defence.
James bypassed the goalkeeper with a delightful ball along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward opportunity of relieving Wales' tension.