The United States secured their place in the penultimate round of the women’s Hockey World League semi-final after overcoming Japan 1-0 in Johannesburg today ©Getty Images

The United States secured their place in the penultimate round of the women’s Hockey World League semi-final after overcoming Japan 1-0 in Johannesburg today.

Michelle Vittese scored the decisive goal in the 42nd minute at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Victory for the US ensures their place at the Hockey World League Final in Auckland in New Zealand at the end of this year and a direct ticket to the 2018 Hockey World Cup in England’s capital London.

"Today was a game that we knew had to be there," Janneke Schopman, the US’s head coach, said.

"Yesterday's training was helpful, to get into the flow, to get connected and to start communicating, which is key for us.

"I think that is what we brought to the game today.

"I was very happy with the experienced players stepping up and by showing and taking the lead, you see the younger athletes actually follow."

A career milestone was reached in today’s match as US midfielder Katelyn Ginolfi earned her 250th international cap.

Once the youngest member on the team when she joined in 2003, veteran Ginolfi is a three-time Olympian and has been a core part of the US’s midfield and defensive unit throughout the years.

Argentina overcame Ireland 2-1 today ©Getty Images
Argentina overcame Ireland 2-1 today ©Getty Images

Awaiting the US in the semi-finals are England, who overcame India 4-1 today.

Giselle Ansley, Alex Danson and Susannah Townsend put England 3-0 up and although Gurjit Kaur pulled one back for India, Hannah Martin went onto seal the victory.

The other semi-final will pit Argentina against Germany after they both came through their last-eight encounters today.

Argentina beat Ireland 2-1 thanks to goals from Delfina Merino and Julia Gomes.

Roisin Upton gave Ireland hope in the 43rd minute, but it ultimately proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Germany, meanwhile, defeated hosts South Africa 1-0 courtesy of Camille Nobis’ 29th-minute goal.

Both Argentina and Germany have joined the US in qualifying for the 2018 Hockey World Cup.

England will join the trio at the Hockey World League Final alongside New Zealand, The Netherlands, China and South Korea. 

The semi-finals are scheduled to take place on Thursday (July 20).

The men’s quarter-finals are due to be held tomorrow with Australia facing Egypt, Spain meeting Ireland, Germany going up against France and Belgium doing battle with New Zealand.