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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James notched his maiden international strike for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, office workers and students had defended for more than 60 minutes. James wheeled away in elation with his obvious relief shared by the large contingent of Wales followers packed into multiple stands of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, yet, Jordan James was booked and another booking for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to suspension.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a encounter the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above North Macedonia and guarantee a better position in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unusual view from the stands, Bellamy completing a touchline ban after being shown a further caution in the tournament previously.

The manager's deputy his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from missing the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in situations that may damage Wales.

Their opponents, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an rate of around four per match.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal was rarely tested until Broadhead pressing forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.

The same combination worked the next opening, James locating his teammate this time with a accurate delivery over the top.

The attacker's fine touch evaded the keeper but the forward failed to finish from a tight angle.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt reached Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh celebrations were cut short when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and determined that a player of the Welsh central defenders was in an illegal position from James’s header.

Wales raised the tempo after the break and Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which Daniel James hit the woodwork.

Neco Williams then missed with a header from within the six-yard box as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the game having reached its second half, Neco Williams delivered a shrewd pass for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.

James cut out Büchel with a excellent ball across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the simple job of ending Wales' tension.