Oh please! He was a great goalkeeper, and he was not making it up. It is indeed textbook defending. For instance, read no.3 here:
http://www.5-a-side.com/tactics/defending-2-vs-1/
http://www.5-a-side.com/tactics/defending-2-vs-1/
That article doesn't even support what you said at all. Also, try reading not just #3 but the entire piece, and especially #4 & #5 which suggests you would eventually commit to pressing the ball.
Even the diagram in #3 has the defender moving towards the player in possession, and NOT the opposite. Come on!

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