Speaking at the daily media briefing here at the Khalifa Stadium main media centre, Tournament Director Tokuaki Suzuki said: “The top three teams have a bye to the 2015 tournament, which will be held in Australia. This is to motivate the teams. We followed this in the last edition (2007) also.”

To a question if another berth would be created if Australia qualify through this tournament in the top three, Suzuki replied in the negative. “The decision is to give only the top three teams direct entry. If Australia finish third, then they and the top two teams, whoever they are, go through.”

For Tuesday’s semi-finals, Suzuki said Japan’s Maya Yoshida and Korea Republic’s Lee Jung-soo would not be eligible because of suspension.