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The Welsh side claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their hopes of World Cup qualification.

Jordan James scored his maiden goal for Wales from near the goal after the home side's mix of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had defended for the majority of the match. James ran off in delight with his visible excitement mirrored by the large contingent of Wales fans packed into multiple stands of the stadium in the capital.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the pair are unavailable for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.

The Cardiff City Stadium contest is a clash the Welsh team need to win to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar view from the dugout, Bellamy completing a technical area prohibition after picking up a further caution in the qualifiers last month.

The manager's deputy Cremers stood in in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu were booked in situations that may damage their team.

The home side, ranked 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had not scored in their winless run and allowed twenty-three times at an average of nearly four per match.

Wales predictably dominated possession as Liechtenstein lay in a low defensive block and packed their defence.

Their opponent's target remained unthreatened until Broadhead pressing won possession and James saw his attempt from the edge of the box pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move created another chance, Jordan finding his teammate now with a precise ball over the top.

Broadhead’s excellent first touch beat the keeper but the forward failed to finish from a difficult angle.

Wales felt they taken the lead after 26 minutes when James directed a deep Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his weak punch landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were cut short when the official was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled that one or more of the Wales central defenders was in an offside from Jordan's initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas provided a centering pass to the opposite side which the winger rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then missed with a header from inside the six-yard box as it appeared like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the match having reached its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a clever through ball for Daniel James to get in behind the opposition backline.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a excellent pass into the danger area, and his namesake Jordan James had the simple job of ending Wales' tension.