Jordan James nets Wales to important World Cup triumph against the Liechtenstein national team.
The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.
The young midfielder scored his debut goal for the national team from near the goal after the home side's group of professionals, office workers and part-timers had defended for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his clear emotion echoed by the 3,000 Welsh supporters occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.
Moments later, though, James was shown a yellow card and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are unavailable for Tuesday’s decisive game with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.
The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a better position in the final round in next spring.
The Wales manager had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, the Wales manager undertaking a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the tournament previously.
Bellamy’s deputy Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in moments that might hamper their team.
Liechtenstein, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and allowed 23 times at an average of around four per match.
The visitors predictably controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.
Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until the forward's pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line parried by Benjamin Büchel.
A similar move created another chance, Jordan locating his teammate this time with a accurate pass into space.
The attacker's excellent control beat the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.
The Welsh team felt they broken the deadlock after the first half when Jordan James directed a high Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.
Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were halted when the match official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that at least one of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.
Wales increased the pressure after the break and Thomas provided a ball to the back post which Daniel James struck the crossbar.
Williams then missed with a header from within the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.
But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams executed a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to run past the home defence.
James cut out Büchel with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward job of relieving Welsh tension.
