SNOW HILL, NC (AP) – It had been decades since Greene Central High School’s band competed in North Carolina’s statewide competition for musicians. While band members hoped to do well, they weren’t prepared for the surprise they got.
It started when band director Andrew Howell solemnly stepped onto the bus where his students from the small school in eastern North Carolina were waiting after the contest on March 19. He told them they had been through a growing experience – comments that were met with groans. Heads dropped, anticipating the worst.
Then he pulled out a plaque awarding the band with a superior rating, the North Carolina Bandmasters Association’s highest ranking, setting off screams and cheers. The video of their celebration, recorded by trumpet player Haley Kinzler, has now been seen by millions after it was posted on TikTok and other social media sites.
“I didn’t expect to get a superior,” Kinzler told The Associated Press. “Halfway through, I thought it was going to be, like, a sad video.”
Just a few years ago, there were only about a dozen students in the band, which last competed in the competition in 1987.
Greene Central High School wasn’t alone in winning a superior rating at the event, which wasn’t a head-to-head matchup of schools. Howell said. But it was the first time his school’s band had scored that rating, he said.
Howell, who took over the programme in 2019, said he took a few minutes to calm himself after learning how well his band had done and composed in his head a speech he had planned to give them. That went out the window when he stepped onto the bus, he said.
“I share in their excitement when they’re successful, and just seeing how excited they were for that – I think that was the most rewarding part of the entire experience,” he said.
AP – Vindaloo is an Indian dish of Portuguese influence that typically is associated with the state of Goa on India’s southwestern coast, but the curry is popular around the world.
Made with lamb or chicken, it’s notable for its vinegary tang, a generous dose of garlic and the spiciness of dried chillies.
In this recipe, we puree a host of spices in a blender, along with fresh garlic and ginger, bracing white vinegar and a bit of brown sugar. The result is a thick paste that is sweetly aromatic. After the chicken soaks for a bit, both meat and marinade go into the skillet to cook and reduce.
The Kashmiri chilli powder used in India is vibrantly coloured with moderate heat; we found a mixture of sweet paprika and cayenne to be a good substitute.
If you purchase Kashmiri chilli powder, substitute four teaspoons for the paprika and cayenne.
Chicken vindaloo. PHOTO: AP
Don’t worry if the chicken sticks to the pot immediately after it is added. Allow it to cook undisturbed and it eventually will release with ease. And don’t be afraid to allow the chicken and puree to brown as they cook. This brings out the flavours in the spices and tames the pungency of the aromatics, yielding a sauce that tastes full and round. Sprinkle the finished dish with sliced chillies and cilantro and serve with basmati rice.
CHICKEN VINDALOO
Start to finish: One hour and 20 minutes
Servings: Four
Ingredients:
– A quarter cup plus two tablespoons white vinegar, divided
– Twelve medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
– One-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
– Two tablespoons sweet paprika
– Two tablespoons packed brown sugar
– Four whole cloves or one-eighth teaspoon ground cloves
– Two-and-a-half teaspoons ground turmeric
– Two teaspoons cumin seeds
– Half to one teaspoon cayenne pepper
– A quarter teaspoon ground cinnamon
– Kosher salt and ground black pepper
– Two pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and halved
– Two tablespoons neutral oil
– Fresno or jalapeño chillies, stemmed and sliced into thin rings, to serve
– Fresh cilantro leaves, to serve
Directions:
In a blender, combine a quarter cup of vinegar, garlic, ginger, paprika, sugar, cloves, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, three-quarter teaspoon salt, one-and-a-quarter teaspoons pepper and three tablespoons water. Puree until smooth, scraping the blender as needed. Pour into a medium bowl, add the chicken and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
In a large Dutch oven over medium, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the chicken and marinade in an even layer. Cook without stirring until the marinade has browned and the chicken releases easily from the pot, five to nine minutes. Stir, then add one-third cup of water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the chicken meets no resistance, 35 to 45 minutes.
Stir in the remaining two tablespoons of vinegar, increase to medium and cook, stirring often, until the sauce is thick enough that a spoon drawn through leaves a trail, about eight minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sliced chillies and cilantro. – Christopher Kimball
AP – Chicken paprikash is a saucy blend of chicken, onions, sour cream and lots of paprika.
In this recipe, we blend techniques from restaurant chefs and home cooks who taught us their recipes during our visit to Budapest, Hungary.
In addition to a generous amount of onion, sautéed until sweet and softened to create a flavourful base, there are a couple other keys to achieving fullness and complexity in the iconic dish.
Paprika, both sweet and hot, is a defining ingredient. The spice adds a touch of heat, a rusty hue and helps thicken the stew.
Multiple forms of peppers are essential for depth and range of flavour. Jarred roasted red peppers, blended to a smooth puree, bring a silky sweetness; fresh banana pepper, finely chopped, adds tangy, fruity notes. The paprika should be bright red, not dull brown, and full of fragrance.
Hungarian chicken paprikash. PHOTO: AP
Seek out fresh, quality paprika, and in particular look for brands produced in Hungary.
Don’t stir the sour cream into the chicken mixture while still on the heat. Remove the pot from the burner, push the chicken to the sides and whisk the sour cream and the remaining pepper puree into the braising liquid in the centre. This gently warms the sour cream so it won’t separate.
HUNGARIAN CHICKEN PAPRIKASH
Start to finish: One hour 40 minutes (25 minutes active)
Servings: Four to six
Ingredients:
– Half cup drained jarred roasted red peppers
– Two tablespoons lemon juice, divided
– Four teaspoons hot paprika, divided
– One teaspoon white sugar
– Kosher salt and ground black pepper
– One tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
– One large yellow onion, finely chopped
– One ripe medium tomato, cored and chopped
– Two banana peppers or wax peppers, one stemmed, seeded and finely chopped, one stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced, reserved separately
– A quarter cup sweet paprika
– Two cups low-sodium chicken broth
– Three pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
– Three-quarter cup sour cream
Directions:
In a blender, combine the roasted peppers, one tablespoon of the lemon juice, one teaspoon of the hot paprika, the sugar and half teaspoon salt. Puree, scraping the jar as needed, until smooth, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the oil until barely smoking. Stir in the onion, tomato and finely chopped banana pepper. Cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring often, until the tomato has broken down and the onion is softened and light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the sweet paprika, remaining three teaspoons hot paprika, broth and half of the pepper puree.
Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Add the chicken and stir until well coated. Bring to a boil over medium-high, then cover, reduce to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until a skewer inserted into the chicken meets no resistance, about 40 minutes.
Off heat, stir in the remaining one tablespoon lemon juice.
Push the chicken to the side; add the remaining pepper puree and the sour cream to the liquid.
Whisk to incorporate, then stir to combine the sauce and chicken. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.
Serve garnished with the sliced banana pepper. – Christopher Kimball
LOS ANGELES (AP) – When Jack Black got the call to star in the Minecraft movie, the perks were plenty. He got to work alongside Jason Momoa, reunite with Nacho Libre director Jared Hess and engulf himself into a beloved gaming universe.
But before agreeing, Black turned to the real decision-makers: his sons, who are avid Minecraft players. They didn’t just give their approval, but practically begged him to take the role.
Like his sons, Black has noticed the buzz since the release announcement of A Minecraft Movie, which hits theatres on Friday. The actor was already familiar with the video game, having played it occasionally with his sons while preparing for the live-action adaptation.
“My boys were playing it, and I wanted to speak their language,” said Black, who stars as the main protagonist Steve, who becomes an expert Minecrafter after being sucked into the Overworld dimension. His character eventually teams ups with a band of misfits who are mysteriously pulled through a portal into this new realm by a cubic object that thrives on imagination.
The film also stars Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge and Sebastian Hansen.
Jack Black poses for photographers with a model wolf character from the film, upon arrival at the World premiere of A Minecraft Movie in London. PHOTO: APJason Momoa poses for photographers at the World premiere of A Minecraft Movie. PHOTO: APDirector Jared Hess poses for photographers at the World premiere of A Minecraft Movie. PHOTO: AP
Before his character found himself in the Overworld, Black immersed himself in the Minecraft gaming world alongside his sons. He spent over 100 hours playing the game while on set.
“I put the work in,” he said. “You got to put the days of work in. Watch YouTube videos to get some tips on how to survive that first night in the Overworld. I was pretty versed in it.”
WHAT’S THE CRAZE BEHIND MINECRAFT?
After Minecraft’s 2009 release, it took only two years to reach a million players. Since then, it has sold over 235 million copies across various gaming platforms, cementing its status as a global phenomenon with its blend of creativity, exploration and survival elements.
The game’s open-ended design lets players carve out their own experience, whether it’s surviving against mobs, mining for resources, farming or using block-based structures to craft artistic masterpieces. It has also fostered a thriving multiplayer community where players collaborate to build their worlds together, while its educational applications extend to coding, architecture and problem solving.
At its core, Minecraft is a limitless digital sandbox, where imagination transforms simple blocks into everything from cosy homes to sprawling cities.
Minecraft creators’ gameplay videos have generated millions of pageviews on YouTube.
Those are some of the elements that drew Myers and Hansen into the game during their childhoods.
“I played a lot during COVID,” said Hansen, 14, who plays Henry, a shy but creative and intellectual kid trying to navigate his new high school. Once his character gets thrown in the Overworld, he feels comfortable with the environment.
“I played it a lot during my childhood, watching videos and stuff all the time,” he said.
Myers began playing the pocket edition with her friends around age 10. She said the digital and real-world elements seamlessly complement each other.
“I think it’s very versatile,” said the 22-year-old actor who plays Natalie, a character who put her life plan’s on hold to take care of Henry, her younger brother. “I think Minecraft kind of forces you to be creative and … problem solve in ways that you probably wouldn’t think of in the first place.”
DO VIDEO GAME ADAPTATIONS REALLY WORK ON THE BIG SCREEN?
The road from console to cinema hasn’t always been smooth.
Many video game adaptations have struggled at the box office, but recent hits like the Sonic series, Five Nights at Freddy’s and The Super Mario Bros Movie have proven the genre’s potential.
These three films have dominated the box office, with Super Mario Bros raking in more than USD146 million during its 2023 opening weekend, according to Comscore. The three Sonic films have debuted between USD58-72 million, while Five Nights at Freddy’s pulled in more than USD80 million.
That’s a significant leap from other adaptations like The Angry Birds Movie 2, which Comscore records show had a lukewarm USD10 million opening in 2019. Other attempts such as Mortal Kombat (USD23 million in 2021) and Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City (USD5.3 million that same year) struggled to gain traction.
Black, who has starred in popular films like School of Rock and the Kung Fu Panda series, said he’s never been a part of such a highly-anticipated movie as Minecraft.
If you ask Hess, it’s certainly not. For him, the game is a family affair, woven into his household dynamics as he and his kids frequently explore the Overworld together.
That made it an easy sell for him to direct A Minecraft Movie.
IS MINECRAFT JUST FOR CHILDREN?
“The game is one of my favourite games of all time, and it was such an important part of our family life,” said Hess, 45, who directed films including Napoleon Dynamite, Masterminds and Nacho Libre.
The game doesn’t have a storyline, so Hess wanted to help create one for the movie based on his knowledge after playing it for hours.
“This world of Minecraft is so bonkers in such a perfect setting for an epic adventure movie that was really ridiculously funny,” he said. “There’s so many places you can go with it.
There’s no story to the game, so there was a lot of creative license to kind of come up with.”
Torfi Frans Olafsson said he’s got thousands of hours clocked in on Minecraft, sometimes playing an entire night until 5am, even if he has an 8am meeting. He recalled an entire weekend playing with his son, who was six at the time.
“I don’t think we did anything else,” said creative director at Minecraft and a producer of the film Olafsson. “We had a mission. We’re trying to kill the dragon. It was just a lot of work and he kept messing up. … But it was a wonderful bonding moment between father and son.”
Olafsson added: “That’s the thing that matters. This game brings people together and creates shared memories and give meanings to things.” – Jonathan Landrum Jr
The scent of lemang wafting through the air, the glimmer of sequinned baju kurung under the sun, the chorus of greetings that echo at every doorstep – Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a sensory celebration that pulls you into a world of colour, flavour and heartfelt reunion.
After a month of fasting and reflection, the arrival of Syawal ushers in a time of forgiveness, generosity and connection.
But amid the whirl of open houses and a calendar packed with visits, it can be easy to get swept up in the motion and forget the deeper meaning of the season.
Enter the idea of a mindful Hari Raya – a gentle invitation to slow down, savour each encounter and truly be present when visiting relatives and friends.
BEYOND THE BAJU AND BISCUITS
There’s no denying the thrill of donning your Raya best and showing up with a tin of kuih in hand to your family home. But mindful visiting means going beyond the outfit and the offering. It starts with intention.
A couple giving ‘duit raya’ to children during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Terengganu, Malaysia.
PHOTO: BERNAMAPHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATOPHOTO: ENVATO
Before heading out, take a moment to remind yourself why you’re going – not just to check off names on a list, but to rekindle bonds, honour relationships and share in the joy of togetherness.
Rather than dashing from one house to another like a guest on a tight schedule, consider spacing out your visits. Give yourself the time to actually be with the people you’re visiting.
Linger a little longer over a cup of teh tarik.
Ask your uncle how his garden is growing. Offer your full attention to the cousin you haven’t seen since last year.
Let each visit be a mini reunion – not just a polite appearance.
LISTENING (AND PAUSING)
Open houses are often noisy affairs, filled with the clink of plates, children’s laughter and overlapping conversations. But even in the busiest rooms, mindfulness begins with listening. Instead of jumping in with your own stories, listen – really listen – to what others are saying. Let your presence be a gift.
There’s beauty in small silences too. In our eagerness to fill every moment with chatter, we forget that quietude can be comforting. Allow space for others to speak, or simply enjoy a shared smile or a knowing glance across the living room. Some connections don’t need words.
EATING WITH AWARENESS
Let’s be honest – food is a major highlight of Hari Raya. Tables groan under the weight of rendang, ketupat, satay and a rainbow of desserts. While it’s tempting to eat everything in sight, mindful eating encourages us to slow down and truly savour each bite.
Start by taking smaller portions. Not only is this polite when food is shared among many, but it also gives your body the chance to register when it’s had enough.
Appreciate the flavours, the effort behind each dish, and the memories that come with them. Was the pineapple tart recipe passed down from your grandmother? Did the host stay up till 3am perfecting their kuah kacang? Mindfulness turns every meal into a story.
Mindfulness also means being sensitive to the atmosphere of each home. Some houses are lively and bustling, while others may be quieter or more solemn, especially if the family is observing the season after a loss. Be observant, respectful and adaptable. A mindful guest reads the room and responds with grace. The sensitivity extends to the emotional space as well. Hari Raya can be a time of mixed feelings – joy, nostalgia, even sorrow.
Be open to those emotions, whether your own or someone else’s. A gentle conversation, a kind gesture, or simply showing up with empathy can make all the difference.
TECHNOLOGY TAKES A BACKSEAT
One of the simplest ways to practise mindfulness during Raya visits? Put away the phone.
It’s tempting to snap selfies and document your outfits, but endless scrolling or photo-taking can pull you out of the moment. Take a few pictures if you must, but then tuck your device away.
Real memories are made when we look up, not down.
If you’re visiting elders, consider how meaningful your presence is. For many, Raya is one of the few times they see extended family. Your undivided attention might be the highlight of their day.
As you leave each home, don’t forget the final touch of mindfulness: gratitude. Thank your hosts – not just with words, but with genuine warmth. A heartfelt ‘Terima kasih’ can go a long way in expressing appreciation.
This Hari Raya, let’s move through the season not just with celebration, but with presence.
Mindfulness doesn’t mean doing less – it means doing things with more care, more heart.
Whether you’re enjoying your fifth bowl of laksa or sitting quietly beside a distant aunt, it’s the quality of your attention that makes the moment sacred.
In the end, a mindful Raya isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the small, intentional choices that turn each visit into a meaningful memory – one that lingers far longer than the scent of bunga rampai. – Izah Azahari
AFP – Veteran Al Horford turned back the clock to help the NBA champion Boston Celtics notch a ninth straight victory and nab a franchise first with a 117-103 win over the Grizzlies in Memphis yesterday.
Horford, 38, led the Celtics scoring with 26 points off the bench.
Jayson Tatum added 25 points and 14 rebounds and the Celtics defence stymied the Grizzlies in the second half to complete a perfect 6-0 road trip – the longest unbeaten road swing in the club’s history.
Boston, second in the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, won all six games by double digits.
Horford scored his season-high, draining six of Boston’s 21 three-pointers.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at the NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tennessee. PHOTO: APBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama. PHOTO: APBoston Celtics’ Al Horford. PHOTO: AP
“It’s a lot of fun,” Horford said. “It’s pretty amazing for me to be in this position and I’m just trying to have fun with it and enjoy with my team.”
Ja Morant scored 26 points for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 11 in the first half and regained the lead early in the third.
Ultimately, however, they couldn’t keep pace and lost ground in their fight with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth place in the West.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, already assured of the Western Conference top seed, racked up their 10th straight victory with a 145-117 pounding of the Chicago Bulls.
Isaiah Joe came off the bench to score 31 points – leading seven Thunder players to score in double figures as Oklahoma City improved to 28-1 against Eastern Conference opponents – the NBA record for most wins by a team against an opposing conference.
“We all have the same goal in mind,” said Joe, who made eight of the Thunder’s 23 three-pointers. “We know what we want to do at the end of the day and we know how to get there. We’ve just got to keep stacking days, stacking games.”
The Indiana Pacers rallied from 16 points down in the third quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 111-109 and maintain their grip on fourth place in the East.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points and handed out 11 assists, drilling a three-pointer with 1:17 remaining that gave Indiana the lead for good.
The Los Angeles Clippers, eighth in West but locked in a battle with Golden State and Minnesota for sixth place and direct entry to the playoffs, clawed out a gritty 96-87 victory over the Magic in Orlando.
Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell scored 21 points each and Ivica Zubac added 18 points and 20 rebounds – including nine on the offensive end – to help the Clippers finally seize control in a game that featured 15 lead changes in the first three quarters. Paolo Banchero scored 26 points and Franz Wagner added 21 for the Magic, who remained in eighth place in the East.
The top six teams in the each conference advance to the playoffs while teams ranked from seventh to 10th play a mini-tournament to determine the final two playoff slots.
The Miami Heat climbed to ninth – ahead of the Bulls – with a fifth straight victory, beating the Wizards 120-94 in Washington.
Bam Adebayo scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Tyler Herro added 27 points for the Heat, whose current winning streak comes on the heels of a 10-game skid.
TOKYO (AFP) – Yuki Tsunoda has targeted a podium finish at his home Japanese Grand Prix this weekend after his “unreal” promotion to the Red Bull team in place of the axed Liam Lawson.
Tsunoda will race alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen after Red Bull ruthlessly pulled the plug on underperforming New Zealander Lawson last week, just two races into the F1 season.
Tsunoda said it felt “unreal” to be driving for one of the top teams on the grid and set his sights on making an instant impact in front of the Japanese fans at Suzuka.
“I don’t want to raise expectations too much but I want to finish on the podium at this Japanese Grand Prix,” the 24-year-old said at an event with Red Bull partner Honda in Tokyo on Sunday.
Tsunoda steps up from Red Bull’s junior team Racing Bulls (RB), with Lawson moving back down to RB, where he was last season.
RB driver Yuki Tsunoda in action during the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix race at the Shanghai International Circuit. PHOTO: AP & AFPLiam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. PHOTO: AP & AFP
Tsunoda said he did not expect to be racing for the team in Japan, after being passed over for Lawson when Mexico’s Sergio Perez left Red Bull at the end of last season.
“It has all fallen into place and now I’m standing here, and that’s thanks to the support of everyone,” said Tsunoda.
Tsunoda has never finished on the podium in four full seasons in F1 but he has shown pace on both race weekends this year.
He was 12th in the season opener at Melbourne and only finished out of the points at Shanghai because of RB’s flawed two-stop pit strategy. Tsunoda urged Japanese fans to get behind him at Suzuka for his Red Bull grand prix debut. “The thing that I’m looking forward to most is that there couldn’t be a more pressurised, challenging situation than this,” he said.
“It’s also my debut, so with all these things added up I think it’s going to be an unbelievably exciting race.”
Lawson was knocked out at the first stage of all three qualifying sessions this season and has yet to score a point. The New Zealander struggled to control the Red Bull but Tsunoda said he “didn’t think it was that challenging a car to drive” after two days on a simulator.
“Everyone says the car is very responsive and I got that impression too, but it didn’t seem to act in a strange, tricky manner,” he said.
LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Arne Slot said Liverpool remain laser-focused on their Premier League title challenge despite reports Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a move to Real Madrid.
The England defender has long been linked with a free transfer to the Bernabeu and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be making progress.
Alexander-Arnold is one of three marquee players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
All three have been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January.
Slot’s side, who are red-hot favourites to win the Premier League, host local rivals Everton tonight following the international break.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold takes part in a training session. PHOTO: AP
“His situation is, unfortunately, that he is injured, otherwise people would have probably spoken about him that he had one or two brilliant performances for the England team,” the Liverpool boss said yesterday, referring to Alexander-Arnold. “But he’s injured and for him that means he is fully focused on his recovery and for us that means we are trying to help him to be back as soon as he can.
“For the rest, of course, for eight months it went a bit up and down maybe, with all kinds of talks about him, Virgil or Mo. But we have never been focused on those talks, we have always been focused on what we have to do.
“For Virgil and Mo that is trying to win the Merseyside derby, and for Trent it is making sure he is can get fit as soon as he can.”
Slot, whose team are 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just nine games remaining in the Premier League, said he was relaxed despite the ongoing speculation.
“It’s a situation that is there for eight or nine months now and all these three players have performed so well under these circumstances so it doesn’t affect me at all,” he said.
Liverpool’s match against Everton is their first outing since they lost the League Cup final to Newcastle, a result that followed a Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
“We are all looking so much forward to the upcoming nine games,” said Slot. “The players are refreshed in my opinion.
“But it wasn’t all negative. We have played a final against a very good Newcastle team and we had one great game and the other game we defended really well against Paris Saint-Germain… we got beaten by a very, very, very good team but what a game we played as well.”
Slot will be back on the touchline in the Premier League after a two-match ban he received following a red card during chaotic scenes at the end of a 2-2 draw at Everton’s Goodison Park ground in February.
“I’m hoping I will act differently next time, but I can’t promise,” he said.
“But what I’m also sure about is that I would be so surprised if I ever would experience eight minutes of so many controversial decisions to our disadvantage again.
AFP – Manchester City were dealt a major blow on Monday with leading scorer Erling Haaland set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury as the season reaches its climax.
The 24-year-old Norwegian was injured in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth.
Having just scored his 30th goal of the season to level the tie, he was then hurt in a challenge with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.
The Premier League champions did not provide a timescale for the player’s return.
“The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup,” said a club statement.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland duels for the ball with Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook. PHOTO: AP
“Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.
“Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis.”
City are currently fifth in the Premier League and battling to ensure a spot in the Champions League next season.
Pep Guardiola’s side face matches against Leicester and Manchester United this week.
They then have a visit from Crystal Palace and a trip to Everton before their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, at Wembley on April 26.
AFP – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said yesterday his team will be judged on what silverware they win this season, regardless of how entertaining their football is.
The Catalan giants are fighting for a potential quadruple, after winning the Spanish Super Cup in January and are playing with the flair and style they have lacked in recent seasons.
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid tonight in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg clash, sitting first in La Liga and in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“I think my team, the players, can be very proud about what they’re doing,” Flick told a news conference.
“I think the team improved a lot, so this is also what I said to them, I appreciate that about (our path) until now.
“But it’s football, and you know in the end what counts is your position, the titles if they are possible.”
