‘Just amazing’: 15-year-old Indiana Dos Santos makes her A-League debut for Sydney FC

Aged 15 years and 117 days, Indiana Dos Santos became the youngest player in Sydney FC’s history - male or female - to debut in the A-League when she took to the field during their recent win over Western United. She said the whole experience was just amazing.

Stepping onto the field on Sunday aged 15 years and 117 days old, Indiana Dos Santos became the youngest player in Sydney FC history to debut in the A-League.

Her injection into the game came in the 89th minute of Sydney’s 3-0 win over fellow premiership contenders Western United, playing out the 12 minutes of injury time.

“I couldn’t believe where I was for a second”, Dos Santos said.

“It’s always been a dream of mine, ever since I was really little, to play for Sydney FC and I just couldn’t stop smiling.”

The decision by coach Ante Juric to put Dos Santos on in place of Sarah Hunter was a surprise to the young player.

“I had no idea. I knew I was on the team sheet obviously but I just didn’t know if I was going to get on or not.

“Especially since it was a top of the table clash” she said.

Teenager Indiana Dos Santos makes her A League Women's debut for Sydney FC

Dos Santos has featured for Australia’s under 15s side and recently attended a training camp with the Junior Matildas.

However, Dos Santos said playing in the A-League Women’s was completely different than what she’s experienced before.

“It’s a lot different and the girls are a lot older and more physical and everything’s just a lot quicker” she said.

Indiana is one of two Dos Santos sisters at Sydney FC, with her sister Jynaya making her debut late last year.

Jynaya Dos Santos wasn’t there to witness her sister’s achievement, as she was in Guam with the Young Matildas for the Asian Cup Round 1 Qualifiers, where she scored in the side’s 13-0 win.

Indiana said her older sister was one of the first people to call her after the match.

“They were all watching it at the young Matildas and they were cheering me on.

(Jynaya) was really happy for me, she said ‘I’m really happy for you, great job, I’m so proud of you’.”

With the squad severely depleted due to injury, suspension and international call-ups, Indiana is back in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Wellington at home and is likely to feature again.

Originally published as ‘Just amazing’: 15-year-old Indiana Dos Santos makes her A-League debut for Sydney FC