The young midfielder James scores the Welsh team to vital World Cup qualifying triumph against Liechtenstein.
The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 win over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.
The young midfielder notched his maiden goal for the national team from close range after the home side's group of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for the majority of the match. The scorer celebrated in elation with his obvious relief mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh supporters packed into multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.
Shortly after, though, Jordan James was booked and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu ensured the pair are unavailable for the upcoming decisive game with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.
That Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake North Macedonia and secure a more favourable position in the final round in next spring.
Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after picking up a second yellow card in the competition earlier.
Bellamy’s assistant Cremers took his place in the dugout and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in situations that might hamper Wales.
Liechtenstein, situated near the bottom in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and let in twenty-three times at an rate of almost four per game.
Wales unsurprisingly dominated possession as their hosts employed a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.
The home goal saw little action until Broadhead high press caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area saved by Benjamin Büchel.
A similar move worked the next opening, Jordan finding Broadhead now with a precise pass into space.
Broadhead’s superb first touch evaded Büchel but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a narrow position.
The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the first half when James nodded a deep Thomas corner back into a packed penalty box.
The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' joy were curtailed when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Welsh defenders was in an offside from James’s header.
Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which the winger struck the woodwork.
Williams then headed wide from within the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.
But, with the contest having reached its final half-hour, Williams executed a intelligent pass for his teammate to get in behind the opposition backline.
Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a superb pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan had the straightforward job of ending Welsh tension.
