David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey scored their first goals for Wales as John Toshack's young side beat Liechtenstein.
Vaughan and Ramsey score first goals for Wales
David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey scored their first goals for Wales as John Toshack's young side finished their qualification campaign with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Vaughan struck the opener in the 16th minute after getting on the end of a low Gareth Bale cross from the left.
Ramsey then made sure of the victory with a fantastic free-kick on 80 minutes from just outside the box.
The victory halted a run of three successive defeats and lifted some pressure off under-fire Wales boss Toshack.
But the result was immaterial in terms of the Group 4 standings, with Toshack's team finishing a distant fourth in the table after failing to register wins against the top three sides.
Striker Jermaine Easter, a late call-up to bolster Wales' heavily depleted squad, was in the starting line-up in the Rheinpark Stadion for his first cap since February 2008.
Easter was one of four players flown out to join Wales' injury and suspension hit party for this final qualifier, with Toshack also calling on goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and defender Craig Morgan in place of suspended pair Wayne Hennessey and Craig Bellamy.
Lewin Nyatanga dropped to the bench but Arsenal's Ramsey played after recovering from a back injury.
Liechtenstein brought back top scorer Mario Frick following suspension and also included Under 21 midfielder Lucas Eberle, the only changes from the side that lost 2-0 at home to Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Hardy fans
Considering Wales' current predicament, it was remarkable to see 400 hardy fans - many bare-chested - belting out the anthem.
They were almost rewarded with a third minute goal when Bale got to the byline on the first of many occasions, and fired in a cross that both Easter and David Edwards missed from close range.
Another Bale chip somehow evaded Edwards' near-post leap before Easter set-up Vaughan, but another close-range chance went begging.
The casual approach in defence that blighted Wales in the defeat by Finland in Helsinki on Saturday allowed David Hasler a free strike from the edge of the box that Myhill did well to beat away.
But the visitors got themselves ahead after 16 minutes when Bale was again played in on the left to produce a low cross that Vaughan hammered in from close range for his first goal for Wales on his 16th appearance.
Wales kept plugging away, with Ashley Williams having an effective influence in midfield. Bale and Chris Gunter worked to get down the flanks and Easter maintained possession up front.
Easter should have added a second when he ran onto a Bale long ball, but he delayed his shot enough to allow goalkeeper Peter Jehle to block the effort with his legs.
But the hosts, defending very deep and in numbers, were always capable of breaking quickly and there were nervy moments in the Wales' defence.
The dangers of complacency were evident when Hasler should have equalised after Buchel's pass played him in behind the defence, but the low shot flashed wide of the far post.
Second half
Buchel was then booked two minutes into the second half after a bizarre attempt to deceive Wales and referee Kaldma Sten at a twice-taken corner.
James Collins, captain for the first time, headed wide from a Gunter free-kick, with Wales needing the security of another goal.
But Liechtenstein passed the ball well and Wales were increasingly nervous, with Morgan booked for hauling down Beck to underline the point.
Ramsey's clever chip almost set-up Simon Church, while Easter was penalised for hand-ball when he bustled home a Bale cross.
But 10 minutes from time, Wales got their second and there was instant relief in the visitors' ranks.
Bale was tripped just outside the box by Yves Oehri, and Ramsey curled home the free-kick for his first senior goal for Wales.
Wales then sent on Andy King for Edwards, with Nyatanga taking over from Bale.
Martin Rechsteiner and Eberle were both booked as the hosts tired, with Neal Eardley taking over from Gunter.
Easter was through again in the final minute, and another chance went begging, but Wales were just grateful for small mercies.
| Liechtenstein |
Team Statistics |
Wales |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 2 |
Corners |
5 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
12 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 79.2 |
Passing Success |
82.3 |
| 22 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 72.7 |
Tackles Success |
77.8 |
| 42.4 |
Possession |
57.6 |
| 52.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.7 |
|
