Vaduz, Liechtenstein - Wales assistant manager Piet Cremers expressed his satisfaction after Wales secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Liechtenstein, a result that sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with North Macedonia in Cardiff.
In a match where Wales were heavily favored against a Liechtenstein side ranked 206th in the world, Jordan James's 61st-minute goal proved to be the difference. The victory puts Wales level on points with North Macedonia, making their upcoming match a decisive one for World Cup qualification hopes.
"We knew we had to take care of today," Cremers said, stepping in for the suspended Craig Bellamy, whose touchline ban prevented him from speaking to the media. "We did that and now our focus goes to North Macedonia".
The match against North Macedonia is crucial for Wales's chances of securing a home semi-final tie in the play-offs in March. A win would see them finish above North Macedonia, potentially leading to a more favorable draw. Failure to win, however, could place them in a difficult position, facing a top seed away from home in the play-off semi-finals.
Cremers acknowledged the challenges of playing against a defensively organized Liechtenstein team. "This is a type of game where everyone expects you to win 5-0, 6-0, 7-0, but when you come to these places it can be a difficult game," he noted. "It's a team that's very well organised, they keep the spaces small and try to limit your chances".
Wales faced frustration in the first half, with a Nathan Broadhead goal disallowed after a VAR review for offside. However, the team persevered, and Daniel James's precise cross eventually found Jordan James, who scored his first Wales goal.
Despite the victory, Cremers highlighted areas for improvement. "There were moments in the final third where we lacked that bit of detail to create an opportunity and turn it into a shot on goal," he said.
Adding to Wales's concerns, Ethan Ampadu and Jordan James both received yellow cards, resulting in suspensions for the crucial match against North Macedonia. Cremers acknowledged the setback but expressed confidence in the squad's depth. "It's never nice to lose players through suspension or an injury," he said. "But I've learned very quickly in this job that there's nothing you can do about injuries and suspensions. You have to deal with it and we've got a really good squad".
Looking ahead, Cremers emphasized the importance of the home crowd in Cardiff for the upcoming match. "It will be another difficult game in Cardiff, but we play at home, we've got our fans in numbers, and we'll look to turn it into a positive result," he stated.
Cremers, at just 31 years old, is taking charge of the team with head coach Craig Bellamy suspended. Cremers's experience working alongside Pep Guardiola and Vincent Kompany is seen as a valuable asset for the team. Bellamy has praised Cremers's contribution, noting his deep understanding of the game.
