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The Welsh side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their aspirations of World Cup progress.

Jordan James notched his debut international strike for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in delight with his visible excitement shared by the 3,000 Welsh fans filling multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.

Moments later, yet, James was booked and another booking for his midfield partner ensured the two players are ruled out for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents through disciplinary issues.

That Wales' ground contest is a clash Wales must win to move above their rivals and obtain a better draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

The Wales manager had an unfamiliar vantage point from the stands, Bellamy completing a sideline suspension after picking up a second yellow card in the competition previously.

The manager's deputy Cremers assumed duties in the dugout and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from sitting out the concluding match. A pair came unstuck in situations that might hamper their team.

The home side, placed 206 out of 210 teams in world football, had failed to score in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three goals at an average of nearly four per match.

Wales unsurprisingly had most of the play as their hosts lay in a compact shape and defended in numbers.

Liechtenstein's net saw little action until Broadhead high press forced an error and Jordan James saw his shot from the 18-yard line pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

A similar move created another chance, James locating his teammate this time with a accurate ball over the top.

The attacker's superb control beat Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a tight angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh joy were halted when the official was instructed to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

The visitors stepped up a gear after the half-time and Thomas sent in a cross to the far post which the winger struck the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it began to look like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having ticked into its second half, Williams played a clever through ball for Daniel James to run past the home defence.

James beat Büchel with a superb ball across the face of goal, and his namesake Jordan had the simple job of relieving Welsh nerves.