Jordan James scores Wales to vital World Cup victory over Liechtenstein.
The Welsh side secured a narrow 1-0 victory over underdogs Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualification.
Wales' James notched his maiden international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's group of professionals, office workers and students had defended for over an hour. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief shared by the three thousand Wales followers filling multiple stands of the venue in Vaduz.
Moments later, however, Jordan James was booked and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu means the two players are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.
The home venue 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.
Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, the Wales manager undertaking a sideline suspension after being shown a second yellow card in the competition earlier.
Bellamy’s assistant Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from missing the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in moments that may damage their team.
Their opponents, situated among the lowest-ranked in world football, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 goals at an average of around four per game.
Wales as expected dominated possession as their hosts adopted a low defensive block and packed their defence.
Their opponent's target saw little action until the forward's chasing down caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin BĂĽchel.
A similar move worked the next opening, James picking out Broadhead on this occasion with a accurate delivery behind the defence.
Broadhead’s superb touch evaded Büchel but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.
Wales felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.
The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were halted when the match official was sent to the video review system and determined that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.
The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which Daniel James hit the frame of the goal.
Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it began to look like a frustrating evening for Wales.
However, with the match having ticked into its 61st minute, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent pass for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.
James bypassed the goalkeeper with a superb pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple task of ending Wales' anxiety.