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Wales claimed a narrow 1-0 success against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their aspirations of World Cup finals qualification.

The young midfielder notched his first international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's group of full-time players, office workers and students had resisted for over an hour. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his visible excitement echoed by the three thousand Welsh followers occupying most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Soon afterwards, however, James was cautioned and a further yellow for Ethan Ampadu means the two players are suspended for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents due to accumulated bookings.

The home venue contest is a encounter the Welsh team need to win to overtake their rivals and guarantee a more favourable draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Craig Bellamy had an unfamiliar perspective from the dugout, the Wales manager undertaking a sideline suspension after picking up a further caution in the qualifiers last month.

Bellamy’s deputy his assistant took his place in the technical area and several key players – James, Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from sitting out the last group game. Two of them came unstuck in moments that might hamper their team.

Their opponents, situated 206 out of 210 teams in international football, had not scored in their six qualifying defeats and allowed twenty-three times at an average of around four per match.

The visitors as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

Their opponent's target saw little action until the forward's pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his attempt from the penalty area pushed aside by Büchel.

The same combination created another chance, James finding his teammate on this occasion with a accurate pass behind the defence.

Broadhead’s fine touch took him past the keeper but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a difficult angle.

Wales believed they'd taken the lead after the opening period when Jordan James directed a high Thomas corner back into a congested six-yard box.

Büchel was flustered by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Nathan Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' celebrations were halted when the match official was directed to the VAR screen and determined that at least one of the Welsh defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's header.

Wales increased the pressure after the interval and Thomas sent in a ball to the opposite side which James rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it started to seem like a difficult match for Wales.

However, with the contest having entered its 61st minute, Williams played a intelligent through ball for his teammate to break behind the home defence.

James beat the goalkeeper with a superb cross along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan James had the simple job of easing Wales' nerves.