The young midfielder James scores Wales to crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Liechtenstein.
Wales claimed a tight 1-0 victory against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their hopes of World Cup qualification.
The young midfielder notched his first goal for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for over an hour. The scorer ran off in elation with his visible excitement mirrored by the three thousand Wales supporters packed into three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.
Shortly after, though, Jordan James was booked and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu means the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with North Macedonia due to accumulated bookings.
That home venue contest is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and guarantee a better draw in the playoffs in March.
The Wales manager had an unfamiliar perspective from the dugout, Bellamy serving a technical area prohibition after being shown a additional booking in the tournament earlier.
The manager's number two Piet Cremers took his place in the technical area and several key players – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were at risk of suspension from sitting out the final qualifier. A pair received cautions in situations that could really hurt their team.
The home side, placed near the bottom in global rankings, had been goalless in their previous six losses and let in twenty-three times at an average of around four per game.
Wales predictably controlled the ball as their hosts employed a low defensive block and defended in numbers.
Their opponent's target was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and James saw his effort from the edge of the box saved by BĂĽchel.
A similar move created another chance, Jordan picking out his teammate now with a accurate pass behind the defence.
Broadhead’s excellent first touch beat the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.
The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after the opening period when Jordan James nodded a lofted Sorba Thomas corner back into a crowded goal area.
The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Welsh elation were halted when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and determined that one or more of the Wales centre-halves was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.
The visitors raised the tempo after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the far post which Daniel James hit the woodwork.
Neco Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like one of those nights for Wales.
But, with the contest having ticked into its 61st minute, Williams executed a clever through ball for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.
Daniel James beat BĂĽchel with a excellent cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple job of ending Welsh anxiety.
