Before their maiden debut in the forthcoming Indian Women's League (IWL) starting from 26th April in Ahmadabad Odisha FC has given the best surprise probably. The team that is the wing of ISL team Odisha FC, has signed a Brazilian footballer, the first-ever female footballer from Brazil in Indian football so far. 

She is 26-year-old Cynthia Marcondes Dos Santos. Before joining Odisha FC her last team was  Grêmio Esportivo Recanto da Criança Interativo. 

Interestingly, Cynthia is proficient as a left-back and can play also as a midfielder on the left, as well as a left winger, and her presence, has inspired domestic footballers a lot. Speaking to Parallel Sports Randeep Baruah, the head of women's football and academy divulged, "Cynthia's presence is inspiring the other girls a lot. Her training drills, especially the technique, skill, and temperament are motivating domestic footballers a lot. Cynthia also had an offer from a Chinese premier team but it did not materialize due to Covid-19 pandemic."

Commenting on the team, Randeep explained, "Our second foreign player, Faustina Akpo, the Ghanaian striker who represented the country in Under-20 can also be a star in the IWL for her scoring ability. Along with her, we have a few more noted Indian footballers like Bala Devi, Grace Lalrampari, and Pyari Xaxa. Stepping onto the field mainstream of Indian women's football our first motive is to cement the identity of Odisha FC." 

Significantly, in a bid to strengthen the preparation Odisha had an association with Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance (ABTP) Center where the girls had fitness training. Randeep revealed the girls were also nurtured through the classes on psychology and they also attended nutrition classes regularly.