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AAP
AAP
Sport
George Clarke

Sydney teenager Dos Santos takes ALW rise in stride

Sydney FC's Indiana Dos Santos is rated a rising star of Australia's women soccer ranks. (David Gray/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

While most 15-year-olds are busy doing things they shouldn't or arguing with their parents, Sydney FC's Indiana Dos Santos has spent her school holidays focusing on winning a grand final.

The teenager burst into Sydney's A-League Women side late this year when they were down on troops but has made a case to become a permanent fixture.

She has two assists and a goal in her last three starts for Ante Juric's side.

Her goal against Perth in March - at the age of 15 and 170 days old - made her the fifth-youngest scorer in the competition's history.

Among the names to score at a younger age, were Matildas stalwart Emily van Egmond and a certain Sam Kerr.

"For me to be up there with someone like Sam Kerr is pretty special," Dos Santos told AAP.

"She's a big inspiration of mine and she's one of the best players in the world right now."

Even a more seasoned athlete might be uncomfortable being mentioned in the same breath as Australia's greatest ever goalscorer, but not Dos Santos.

"That's a goal of mine, to be where she is now and playing in the Women's Super League," she said.

"That's where I want to be when I'm older."

Before fulfilling her European ambition, Dos Santos will hope to play in the Sky Blues' semi-final meeting with Western United at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The Shellharbour native's rapid rise began last year when she was spotted by Juric, who saw her score and had her signed up within a week.

But the trait Sydney coach admired the most was her ability to keep the ball against players who outmuscled the teenager.

"They're obviously a lot stronger than me and it's hard to push them off the ball ... but you've got to get stuck in," she said.

"I played in the boys' team for a long time where I was the only girl, that always pushes you to be the best.

"The boys would look at me (as if to say) 'oh, you're just a girl'... but you've got to prove them wrong and show them what girls are really like."

Originally, Dos Santos thought she would spend the year featuring in opposed sessions to Juric's starting XI.

But given her trajectory, the thought of returning to school with a medal is an enticing one.

"It's a great opportunity for us to show everyone what we have been working towards," she said.

"For me individually, it would be an amazing opportunity for me to play in that kind of atmosphere ... I really want to come home with a trophy."

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