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Wales secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualifying.

The young midfielder notched his first goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of professionals, office workers and students had held out for the majority of the match. The scorer ran off in joy with his clear emotion mirrored by the large contingent of Welsh supporters occupying most sections of the venue in the capital.

Shortly after, however, James was cautioned and another yellow for Ethan Ampadu means the two players are ruled out for the upcoming crucial match with North Macedonia due to disciplinary issues.

That home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team must win to overtake their rivals and secure a improved seeding in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the dugout, the Wales manager serving a touchline ban after picking up a further caution in the competition previously.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in moments that may damage Wales.

The home side, ranked among the lowest-ranked in international football, had been goalless in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 goals at an rate of almost four per match.

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

The home goal saw little action until Nathan Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his attempt from the penalty area parried by Büchel.

That pairing created another chance, Jordan finding his teammate now with a well-weighted ball over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent first touch took him past the keeper but the forward was unable to score from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after the first half when Jordan James headed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a congested penalty box.

Büchel was harassed by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were cut short when the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor and decided that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from James’s header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which the winger rattled against the woodwork.

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

Yet, with the contest having ticked into its second half, Neco Williams played a clever through ball for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James beat the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward opportunity of relieving Wales' nerves.