KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6: In July, Argentina sounded a warning that a new world hockey order might be on the cards when they won the World Cup qualifiers in Edinburgh.

The South Americans stunned the field in Scotland with their attacking display and in Jorge Lombi, they have probably the most deadly finisher in the game.

But the question that will be on everyone’s lips in the Champions Challenge which begins here Friday is — can Argentina carry on their winning run or was their win in Scotland a flash in the pan?

Coach Jorge Ruiz is optimistic of his team’s chances in the inaugural December 8-16 tournament for the bottom six teams in the Olympics.

The winner of the new tournament will earn a place in the next Champions Trophy tournament to be played in the German city of Cologne in August.

Of the six teams here in Kuala Lumpur — Argentina, India, Belgium, Japan, South Africa and host Malaysia — only India and Malaysia have played in the Champions Trophy before.

Ruiz said Malaysia has always been a happy hunting ground for Argentina and that his team would continue its good run.

“My team has never ever played in the Champions Trophy but I know a good display here, cumulating in us winning the final, will change that statistic,” he said.

“The boys are on a high after winning the World Cup qualifiers and now we hope to end the year by winning the Champions Challenge.”

Argentina’s main rival for the crown is India.

Long renowned for their silky skills and dazzling passing, the Indians have recently regained their knack for winning.

The former World Cup and Olympic champions won the Junior World Cup in Hobart, Australia, two months ago and have drafted 10 players from that squad into their senior side.

Cedric D’Souza is the first Indian coach in a long time not to have played in an Olympic Games and while this did not endear him to fans back home, it has fashioned a style difficult to beat.

“I know we have included 10 juniors in our team but this is our strongest team we have at the moment,” D’Souza said.

“I have faith in my team and I feel we have the capabilities to win the tournament and return to the Champions Trophy after a long absence.”

The Kuala Lumpur tournament is also being used as a warm-up to next year’s World Cup, that will be held at the same venue.

Host Malaysia, the dark horses in this tournament, received a welcome boost Wednesday when their skipper and top hitman Mirnawan Nawawi was declared fit to play, just days after an injury scare nearly ruled him out.

“The Boss”, as Mirnawan is known to fans in Malaysia, is one of the most experienced forwards in the world.

He has featured in three Olympic Games and his mere presence will surely boost the morale of a team going through a difficult period.

Malaysian head coach, the legendary Paul Lissek who took over the job after resigning as Germany’s coach, knows it won’t be easy to finish among the top two teams here but has not given up hope of a good outing.

“The team is getting better day by day and I hope we will be able to put up a credible display,” said Lissek.

“The fans are expecting a lot from this team and I can promise them that we will give 110 percent in all our matches.

“The results do not matter as much as how well we can perform as our main target is still the World Cup. But having said that, we aim to finish as high as possible in this tournament,” he added.

The Champions Challenge was originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi but was changed to Kuala Lumpur after some of the teams declined to travel to India due to the US-led strikes on nearby Afghanistan. —AFP