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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup finals qualification.

The young midfielder scored his maiden goal for the national team from near the goal after the home side's mix of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. James wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Wales followers occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, however, James was booked and a further booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents due to disciplinary issues.

The Wales' ground contest is a game the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and obtain a more favourable position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an unfamiliar vantage point from the stands, the Wales manager undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers previously.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant took his place in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from missing the concluding match. A pair were booked in moments that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, ranked near the bottom in world football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded twenty-three times at an average of around four per game.

The visitors unsurprisingly dominated possession as their hosts lay in a compact shape and defended in numbers.

The home goal remained unthreatened until Broadhead high press forced an error and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan picking out his teammate on this occasion with a accurate ball behind the defence.

The attacker's fine touch took him past the keeper but the attacker failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team thought they had broken the deadlock after the opening period when James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were halted when the official was instructed to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an offside from James’s initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which Daniel James rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

Yet, with the game having entered its second half, Williams played a intelligent through ball for his teammate to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a superb ball across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the straightforward task of easing Welsh nerves.