Wales' Jordan James fires Wales to important World Cup qualifying win versus Liechtenstein.
The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup qualifying.
Jordan James notched his debut international strike for the national team from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s mix of professionals, office workers and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the three thousand Wales supporters occupying three sides of the stadium in the capital.
Shortly after, yet, James was booked and a further yellow for his midfield partner ensured the pair are ruled out for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.
That home venue fixture is a clash the Welsh team must win to move above their rivals and obtain a better draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.
Bellamy had an unusual vantage point from the stands, the Wales manager serving a technical area prohibition after being shown a second yellow card in the qualifiers last month.
The manager's number two his assistant stood in in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the final qualifier. A pair came unstuck in incidents that could really hurt Wales.
The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had failed to score in their winless run and allowed twenty-three times at an average of almost four per game.
The visitors predictably had most of the play as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and packed their defence.
Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until the forward's chasing down won possession and James saw his shot from the 18-yard line parried by the goalkeeper.
That pairing worked the next opening, James locating his teammate now with a precise pass over the top.
The attacker's fine control evaded the keeper but the forward could not convert from a difficult angle.
The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a lofted Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.
The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the referee was directed to the VAR screen and determined that at least one of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s header.
The visitors increased the pressure after the break and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the opposite side which the winger hit the crossbar.
Williams then headed wide from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a frustrating evening for Wales.
Yet, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.
James bypassed Büchel with a delightful ball into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple opportunity of easing Wales' nerves.
