Wales ease with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein

Pressure was lifted from boss John Toshack as his Wales youngsters grabbed the victory they needed to end their disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign on a high.

But it was a nervy performance, with everyone labouring under the knowledge that defeat in this Group Four clash would be the worst result in Wales history.

Toshack was more than aware of the fans’ dissatisfaction over his management and recent results and he will also realise that this scrappy victory does not represent an answer to the problem. But he saw both David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey score maiden goals for their country to end a run of three successive defeats.

Striker Jermaine Easter, a late call-up to bolster Wales’s 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 scored 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.

Considering Wales’ current predicament, it was remarkable to see 400 hardy fans – many bare chested – belting out the anthem, no doubt somewhat annoyed to have had to listen to England’s Three Lions song played before the game by their hosts.

They were almost rewarded with a third-minute goal when Gareth 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 Wales 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. But the hosts, defending very deep and in numbers, were always capable of breaking quickly and there were plenty of nervy moments in the Wales defence.

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.

The dangers of complacency were evident when Hasler should have equalised after Buchel’s pass played him in behind the Wales defence, but the low shot flashed wide of the far post.

Buchel was 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. Morgan was 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. Ten minutes from time, Wales got their second and there was instant relief in the Welsh 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.