Australian striker Michelle Heyman admits she is confused as to why Thursday night's international against rival New Zealand in Canberra has been closed to the public, with players advised by Matildas officials to not even promote the game through social media.
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The Matildas are in Canberra for a two-game series against the Football Ferns but the first match will be played in front of an empty grandstand at the AIS Arena.
It comes two nights after the Socceroos played a World Cup qualifier in front of 43,000 fans in Melbourne.
Football Federation Australia and Capital Football have decided to make the second match, at McKellar Park on Sunday, the marquee game.
No tickets are being sold to the Thursday match and it has not been advertised by FFA.
Officials said spectators would not be turned away at the gates but with FFA resources stretched because of the Socceroos' World Cup campaign, it was decided to have game one as a non-ticketed event.
The soccer world is buzzing with the Socceroos on the cusp of World Cup qualification, and Heyman hoped the women's team was not forgotten.
''I thought it was strange it was closed, because women's football isn't that big and we should try to get as much support as we can,'' Heyman said.
''We weren't really allowed to tell people it was on … we're kind of used to it because we're on the female side of things.
''I'm hoping McKellar will be packed for the second game … a lot of people know we've got two games on, word of mouth gets around and we need the support, and people enjoy watching it.
''If the Australian Opals [women's basketball team] were here, they wouldn't have a closed game at the AIS. I think some of the girls are a little bit confused - of course we want everyone to come and watch.''
Socceroos coach Holger Osieck apologised on Wednesday for an off-the-record sexist comment after Australia's 4-0 win over Jordan. Osieck said ''women should shut up in public'' when joking that an FFA official was pushing him around like a woman by telling him where to sit.
The Matildas series is part of Canberra's birthday celebrations.
Capital Football is helping host the games and has spent $8000 on work at McKellar Park to increase seating capacity to almost 1500.
Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid is hoping to attract a crowd of up to 1500 and FFA dignitaries - including boss David Gallop and new FIFA committee member Moya Dodd - will be in the stands.
''The focus for everyone is for the Sunday fixture,'' Reid said.
''It's a common thing that happens in football; the decision around [closing Thursday's game] is on ticketing, seating allocation, accreditation and security.
''It's not like the gates will be locked; our concentration is to get a good crowd for the Sunday fixture. There's a special centenary cup … we're hosting the games on the FFA's behalf and we'll capitalise on the football euphoria by having this game on Sunday.''
