Former Manchester United goal keeper Edwin van der Sar saved a penalty on his comeback from retirement to secure a 1-1 draw for boyhood club VV Noordwijk in the Dutch fourth division.
Van der Sar, who spent 5 years at Noordwijk from 1985-90, agreed to appear in goal for his boyhood club for a solitary match to help them through a crippling injury crisis in the golakeeping position. Van der Sar bent down low on his left to deny opponents Jordan boys from clinching all 3 points against VV Noordwijk. The Dutch FA made a special concession for the former Ajax man to appear at a very short notice, after Noordwijk’s regular goalkeeper Mustafa Mare Zine failed to recover from an injury.
Despite saving a penalty, Van der Sar was unable to keep a clean sheet as the visitors took the lead through Mohammed Bellahcen with 20 mins left to play. However, the home side went on to come away with a point from the match after Jaap can Duijn scored a last-gasp equaliser to send the home fans into utter delirium.
This was Van der Sar’s first competitive appearance in 5 years.
Class is permanent.
Edwin van der Sar made playing comeback today aged 45 & saved a penalty!https://t.co/ePCzXacjaS pic.twitter.com/gLqMX4oD2y— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) March 12, 2016
Van der Sar’s penalty heroics prove that age is just a number
The legendary Dutchman won 4 Premier League titles and one European crown during his 6-year stay at Old Trafford. He retired in May, 2011 at the age of 40 after guiding Manchester United to the final of the UEFA Champions League. Van der Sar will always be fondly remembered in Manchester United folklore, after his shootout heroics in the 2007-08 Champions League final against Chelsea propelled the Red Devils to the pinnacle of European club football. The Dutchman’s penalty save on Saturday for VV Noordwijk went on to prove the old adage that age is just a number.
De Champions League-finale herbeleefd bij @vvnoordwijk: Van der Sar stopt een strafschop tegen @jodanboys #noojod pic.twitter.com/9GCXf0Rkyz
— Haniff Harharah (@haniff1986) March 12, 2016
