🔗 Share this article

Wales secured a tight 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup progress.

Wales' James notched his maiden goal for Wales from close range after the home side's mix of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Welsh followers occupying multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Soon afterwards, though, Jordan James was cautioned and another late caution for his midfield partner ensured the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s decisive game with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.

That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and secure a more favourable seeding in the playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different view from the sidelines, the Wales manager undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's number two Piet Cremers stood in in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in situations that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, placed among the lowest-ranked in global rankings, had not scored in their winless run and conceded twenty-three goals at an average of almost four per match.

Wales as expected dominated possession as Liechtenstein adopted a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal saw little action until Nathan Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his shot from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan finding Broadhead now with a accurate delivery over the top.

Broadhead’s superb touch beat the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a tight angle.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James directed a high Sorba Thomas corner back into a congested six-yard box.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh celebrations were halted when the official was directed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Thomas provided a centering pass to the far post which James struck the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams executed a intelligent through ball for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.

James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb ball into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward task of relieving Wales' tension.