Wales' Jordan James nets the Welsh team to important World Cup victory against the Liechtenstein national team.
Wales secured a narrow 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.
The young midfielder claimed his debut international strike for Wales from close range after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.
Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was cautioned and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.
The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game the Welsh team must win to move above their rivals and guarantee a improved draw in the playoffs in next spring.
Bellamy had an unusual perspective from the stands, the head coach undertaking a sideline suspension after receiving a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.
Bellamy’s number two his assistant took his place in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in moments that may damage Wales.
Liechtenstein, ranked among the lowest-ranked in world football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and conceded 23 times at an average of around four per game.
Wales as expected controlled the ball as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and packed their defence.
The home goal saw little action until Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area parried by the goalkeeper.
A similar move worked the next opening, James locating Broadhead on this occasion with a well-weighted delivery over the top.
The attacker's superb first touch beat BĂĽchel but the forward could not convert from a difficult angle.
Wales believed they'd broken the deadlock after the first half when James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed goal area.
BĂĽchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Rodon, and his feeble attempt fell to Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' joy were cut short when the match official was instructed to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's initial touch.
The visitors raised the tempo after the interval and Thomas sent in a ball to the back post which the winger hit the woodwork.
Williams then headed wide from within the six-yard box as it began to look like one of those nights for Wales.
However, with the match having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams played a intelligent pass for Daniel James to get in behind the Liechtenstein defenders.
James bypassed BĂĽchel with a delightful cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the easy job of easing Wales' nerves.
