JORD EASES WELSH NERVES

Bellamy's boys stay in hunt for home play-off with battling victory

- BY GLEN WILLIAMS

WALES secured victory over Liechtenstein in Vaduz thanks to a sole Jordan James strike to set up a winner-takes-all clash against rivals North Macedonia on Tuesday night.

Wales took care of business, but their victory over Liechtenstein felt more like a box ticked than a statement performance.

Still, this result ensures Tuesday's showdown at Cardiff City Stadium will be a straight shootout for second place in Group J and for a home semifinal in the World Cup playoffs.

Craig Bellamy's side, led on the night by assistant coach Piet Cremers due to Bellamy's touchline suspension, dominated from first minute to last against a side now beaten in 11 consecutive matches.

Yet for all Wales' control and the sheer volume of chances created, it took until the 61st minute for the breakthrough to arrive.

The decisive moment came via a wonderfully constructed move down the right. Neco Williams, who had been Wales' most inventive outlet throughout, split the Liechtenstein defence with a superb through-ball to Dan James.