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The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 success against less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals progress.

Jordan James scored his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after the home side's group of professionals, amateurs and students had resisted for over an hour. The scorer celebrated in elation with his visible excitement mirrored by the three thousand Welsh supporters filling three sides of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, though, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another booking for Ethan Ampadu ensured the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

That Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash the Welsh team have to secure victory in to overtake their rivals and obtain a more favourable position in the final round in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the head coach undertaking a technical area prohibition after picking up a further caution in the tournament previously.

Bellamy’s assistant Piet Cremers took his place in the coaching zone and multiple first-teamers – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from being absent for the concluding match. A pair were booked in situations that might hamper Wales.

Their opponents, ranked near the bottom in world football, had been goalless in their winless run and allowed 23 goals at an average of around four per match.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a deep defensive line and defended in numbers.

The home goal was rarely tested until Nathan Broadhead chasing down caused a mistake and James saw his attempt from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

That pairing worked the next opening, Jordan picking out Broadhead this time with a accurate pass into space.

The attacker's fine control took him past Büchel but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after the opening period when James headed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded penalty box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was flustered by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his weak punch fell to Nathan Broadhead who finished powerfully. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the match official was directed to the pitchside monitor and decided that one or more of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from James’s initial touch.

Wales raised the tempo after the half-time and Thomas provided a cross to the opposite side which Daniel James hit the crossbar.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the contest having entered its final half-hour, Williams delivered a shrewd pass for Daniel James to run past the home defence.

Daniel James beat Büchel with a superb pass into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward job of relieving Welsh nerves.