Japan claim Rio 2016 women's hockey berth after Australia and New Zealand reach Oceania Cup final

Japan's women are set to compete in the 12-team Rio 2016 hockey tournament ©Getty Images

Japan's women’s hockey team have secured the penultimate Rio 2016 Olympic qualifying berth after Australia and New Zealand reached the final of the Oceania Cup.

Both finalists had already sealed berths at the Games due to their performances at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League Semi-Finals earlier this year - meaning the place up for grabs for the Oceania Cup winners can only be filled by a country who already know that they will be competing next summer.

A qualification spot has therefore been passed to the highest ranked team at the Hockey World League semi-finals who has yet to qualify and it is the Japanese, who finished sixth in the Belgian city of Antwerp, who have cashed in.

Spain also finished sixth in their semi-final on home soil in Valencia, but Japan were given the nod as they are 10th in the FIH world rankings while the Spanish are 14th.

Ten teams have now qualified for the tournament with Japan joining the likes of Asian champions South Korea, Pan American Games gold medallists the United States and Great Britain, who qualified thanks to England winning the European Championships.

Meanwhile, China, Germany, Argentina, The Netherlands and India secured their places through the Hockey World League semi-finals, although hosts Brazil won't be there due to their world ranking not being high enough.

Australia and New Zealand meet this weekend to decide the Oceania Cup winners ©Getty Images

The final berth in the 12-team tournament, which is set to be held from August 7 to 20 at the Olympic Hockey Center in Deodoro, will be finalised after the African Hockey Championships.

Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe will all be vying for the spot during a round robin tournament, which is due to begin tomorrow (October 23) in the South African town of Randburg and run through until November 1.

Nine men’s teams will also be in action during the tournament with a Rio 2016 berth also on offer for the winners.

Hosts South Africa will begin as the favourites as they boast the highest world ranking.

The Oceania Cup final between New Zealand and Australia will take place on Sunday (October 25).