Edwin van der Sar made a one-off comeback on Saturday after four years in retirement, and showed the world of football what they’ve been missing with an inspired penalty save.
With Noordwijk’s regular keeper Mustafa Mare Zine injured and the club lacking a back-up, they asked Van der Sar to pull on his gloves one more time against Jodan Boys.
And the former Manchester United star – who is still involved at the club he played for between 1985 and 1990 – agreed after giving it a bit of thought.
After attempting to put off the spot-kick taker by pointing to his right-hand side, the 45-year-old then dived dexterously low to his left-hand side to keep out the penalty.
The former Holland international was promptly mobbed by his team-mates following his crucial intervention.
The Dutch Football Association granted Van der Sar, capped 130 times for the national side, special dispensation to start the clash with Jodan Boys.
‘He still thinks warmly of the club and is here regularly,’ Peter Vink, technical director at Noordwijk, told Dutch publication Voetbal in de Bollenstreek.
‘After some deliberation he agreed to keep goal next Saturday against Jodan Boys. We assume that it is basically only for one game.
‘We are thrilled that Edwin wants to help us in this way.’
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