What could make a 33-year-old feel like an 11-year-old?

For Christopher van Huizen, the answer is simple: football.

Indeed, his return to the Lion City Sailors starting lineup against Tanjong Pagar United on Monday (6 April) brought that feeling rushing back, as he marked his first Singapore Premier League (SPL) start since last October with an assured display in a commanding 4-0 win.

“Honestly, I was missing football a lot, and trying to get my position back in the team was really difficult because I had to deal with injuries along the way,” said Chris. “It felt good to start in the Singapore Cup against Balestier and against Shan United in the Shopee Cup in December.

“Then I had another ankle injury which kept me away for quite some time. So getting the opportunity to start again, I felt like an 11-year-old boy. It was an amazing feeling.”

Deployed as a left winger rather than his usual full-back role, Chris made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Lennart Thy’s opener before making way just before the hour mark.

“The last time I played as a winger was back in 2021 with Geylang International,” he recalled. “It reminded me of my time there, which was the last time I was regularly starting matches in that position.”

His thoughts also drifted further back to 2019, when he enjoyed a standout campaign, registering a joint-high 10 assists in the SPL while operating out wide.

Those experiences continue to shape his game today, with Chris drawing on his understanding of both winger and wing-back roles to contribute effectively in different systems.

“When I play as a wing-back, I focus more on defending, especially against stronger teams who attack a lot,” he explained. “I pick my moments to go forward.

“As a winger, you still defend, but when attacking, you need the energy to keep making runs and deliver crosses into the box.”

That versatility will be key once more this Sunday (12 April), when the Sailors take on Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Cheetahs head into the clash on the back of a narrow defeat to Geylang International and sit sixth in the table. Notably, they are the only side yet to draw a match this season, underlining their unpredictable nature.

“These kinds of matches can be tricky,” Chris noted. “On their day, Hougang can be a really good team. We just need to stay consistent with our game plan and keep pushing forward.”

Having recently returned from injury, Chris is also clear about where he can improve.

“There’s still a lot of room for improvement. My decision-making could have been better in the last match, and my fitness is not yet at its best,” he said. “I could have linked up more with the forwards, especially with Bart (Ramselaar) playing in the middle, which makes my job easier.”

With 98 appearances for the club, Chris is also closing in on a century in Sailors colours, a milestone he is determined to reach.

“Playing 100 matches for one club is something I’ve always wanted in my career,” he shared. “I never managed to reach it elsewhere, so now that I’m close, I really want to achieve it here with the biggest club in Singapore.”

Under Head Coach Jesús Casas, wide players such as Diogo Costa and Nur Adam Abdullah have continued to thrive, and Chris sees that as a positive sign for the team’s future.

With experience on his side, he is also embracing a mentorship role within the squad.

“Nur Adam is definitely a player for the future. He’s very promising, and all I can do is push him and help him improve,” said Chris.

“I’m at a stage where I may have a few more years left, so I want to share my experience with the younger players and help the team in the long term.”