The young midfielder James scores the Welsh team to crucial World Cup qualifying win versus the Liechtenstein national team.
Wales earned a narrow 1-0 success over international minnows Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup finals progress.
The young midfielder claimed his maiden goal for the national team from close range after the home side's assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer celebrated in elation with his clear emotion echoed by the three thousand Wales fans occupying multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz.
Shortly after, yet, Jordan James was booked and another booking for Ethan Ampadu resulted in the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia through disciplinary issues.
That Cardiff City Stadium fixture is a encounter the Welsh team must win to overtake North Macedonia and secure a improved seeding in the final round in next spring.
The Wales manager had an unfamiliar perspective from the dugout, Bellamy serving a sideline suspension after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.
Bellamy’s assistant his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and several key players – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu received cautions in situations that could really hurt Wales.
Their opponents, placed 206 out of 210 teams in global rankings, had been goalless in their winless run and conceded 23 goals at an average of around four per game.
Wales unsurprisingly controlled the ball as their hosts adopted a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.
Their opponent's target was rarely tested until Broadhead high press won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the edge of the box parried by the goalkeeper.
The same combination crafted an opportunity, James picking out his teammate this time with a precise delivery into space.
Broadhead’s superb first touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a difficult angle.
The Welsh team believed they'd scored the opener after the opening period when James directed a lofted Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.
The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Welsh elation were cut short when the referee was directed to the video review system and decided that one or more of the Welsh centre-halves was in an offside from James’s initial touch.
Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which James struck the frame of the goal.
Williams then missed with a header from within the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.
Yet, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Williams delivered a clever pass for Daniel James to break behind the Liechtenstein defenders.
James beat the goalkeeper with a delightful ball across the face of goal, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy opportunity of easing Wales' tension.