The young midfielder James scores Wales to crucial World Cup triumph over Liechtenstein.
Wales secured a tight 1-0 win over international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup qualifying.
Jordan James scored his first international strike for the national team from close range after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, office workers and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. James wheeled away in joy with his obvious relief shared by the three thousand Welsh supporters packed into most sections of the venue in the capital.
Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and another yellow for his midfield partner means the pair are ruled out for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents due to suspension.
The home venue fixture is a game Wales must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.
The Wales manager had an unusual vantage point from the stands, the head coach serving a touchline ban after picking up a further caution in the tournament earlier.
Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers stood in in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the concluding match. A pair were booked in situations that could really hurt their team.
Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and conceded 23 times at an average of around four per game.
The visitors unsurprisingly controlled the ball as Liechtenstein lay in a compact shape and packed their defence.
The home goal saw little action until Nathan Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his shot from the penalty area parried by Benjamin Büchel.
The same combination created another chance, James picking out his teammate this time with a well-weighted ball into space.
Broadhead’s fine control took him past the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.
Wales thought they had broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when Jordan James directed a high Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.
Büchel was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch reached Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh joy were cut short when the referee was sent to the video review system and decided that a player of the Welsh defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.
Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the back post which Daniel James struck the frame of the goal.
Neco Williams then directed his header off target from inside the six-yard box as it began to look like a frustrating evening for Wales.
Yet, with the match having entered its 61st minute, Williams delivered a shrewd through ball for Daniel James to break behind the opposition backline.
James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful pass across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan had the simple job of ending Wales' tension.
