Jordan James nets Wales to important World Cup qualifying win versus Liechtenstein.
The Welsh side secured a tight 1-0 victory against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualification.
The young midfielder notched his first goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of full-time players, amateurs and part-timers had defended for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in elation with his visible excitement echoed by the 3,000 Wales supporters packed into multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.
Shortly after, though, Jordan James was cautioned and a further yellow for his midfield partner resulted in the pair are suspended for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through suspension.
That Cardiff City Stadium match is a game Wales need to win to overtake their rivals and secure a improved draw in the final round in next spring.
Bellamy had an unfamiliar view from the sidelines, the Wales manager completing a touchline ban after receiving a second yellow card in the competition earlier.
The manager's number two Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the last group game. Both James and Ampadu were booked in situations that might hamper Wales.
The home side, placed near the bottom in international football, had not scored in their previous six losses and conceded twenty-three times at an average of almost four per game.
Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein adopted a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.
Liechtenstein's net remained unthreatened until Nathan Broadhead pressing caused a mistake and Jordan James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by Benjamin Büchel.
The same combination created another chance, James picking out his teammate now with a accurate pass behind the defence.
The attacker's excellent control took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker failed to finish from a narrow position.
The Welsh team felt they broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when James directed a lofted Thomas corner back into a congested penalty box.
Büchel was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh elation were halted when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and determined that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.
The visitors stepped up a gear after the break and Thomas provided a cross to the far post which James struck the woodwork.
Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it began to look like one of those nights for the Welsh side.
However, with the contest having entered its second half, Neco Williams played a clever through ball for his teammate to run past the opposition backline.
James cut out the goalkeeper with a delightful cross across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy job of ending Wales' tension.