Tag: Bengaluru

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Bengaluru Rural Set for Fierce Electoral Showdown

The Bengaluru Rural constituency is considered as a fortress of the D.K. Shivakumar’s family…reports Asian Lite News

The Bengaluru Rural constituency is likely to witness a high-voltage contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as Deputy Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and family members of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda have taken it as a matter of prestige to ensure victory for their respective sides.

The seat is considered as a fortress of the Shivakumar family.

Shivakumar’s brother, D.K. Suresh, has represented the seat since 2013.

Former Karnataka CM H.D. Kumaraswamy registered victory in the seat in the 2009 general elections.

After his resignation, D.K. Suresh grabbed it from the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in 2013 by-polls by defeating H.D. Kumaraswamy’s wife, Anita Kumaraswamy.

In 2014, and also in 2019, Suresh registered thumping victories.

Now, with the BJP and the JD-S deciding to field Dr. C.N. Manjunath, son-in-law of former PM Deve Gowda, as NDA candidate from the BJP, the seat is all set to witness an intense contest.

D.K. Suresh on Thursday told JD-S workers that they should take a call now as Deve Gowda’s son-in-law himself is not contesting for the JD-S but as a BJP candidate.

“Son-in-law has decided that JD-S led by Deve Gowda and his son, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy is not good. JD-S workers will have to think on these lines. The intelligent son-in-law has chosen to contest for a different party. Their party workers will decide on the rest,” Suresh said.

Meanwhile, Congress’ Karnataka unit president D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that he respects C.N. Manjunath.

“Politics is different. It is shocking to see a family member of Deve Gowda contesting on a BJP ticket,” he said.

Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, reacting to statements of D.K. Suresh, said the services of C.N. Manjunath have been appreciated at the national level.

“But, this person (Suresh) has been bad-mouthing about him. He is nothing when compared to Manjunath,” he stated.

“I am pained to see the comments made against him. There is no question of tolerating if comments are made against Manjunath,” Kumaraswamy added.

Shivakumar Warns Pro-Kannada Activists

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday warned pro-Kannada activists that they should not take the law into their own hands for implementing the 60:40 rule for the use of Kannada on signboards.

“60:40 signboards are mandatory. The government is committed to implementing it,” Shivakumar told reporters here.

” We allowed time because the manufacturing of the signboards was taking a lot of time. But I don’t want pro-Kannada activists to take the law into their own hands on this issue,” he added.

The deadline for complying with the rule ended on Wednesday. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has said that the rule has already seen 98% implementation.

Earlier, Shivakumar orally announced the extension by two weeks of the previous deadline of February 28. His announcement came after BBMP started to shut down shops for non-compliance.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike spearheaded the campaign for Kannada signboards in December 2023, which degenerated into vandalism on December 27 in the city.

The Commercial Street Shop Owners’ Association said that in Commercial Street, about 90% of shopkeepers have complied with the law. However, they expressed apprehension in forced implementation of the rule.

Meanwhile the Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar assured Bengaluru’s citizens that there was no water crisis in the city as the government had made alternate arrangements.

“As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. We have made alternative arrangements. BJP is saying that we are releasing water to Tamil Nadu. This is absolutely false. I appeal to the PM and BJP MPs that we get permission for the Mekadattu dam” DK Shivakumar said.

Earlier the BJP had accused the state Congress Government of knowing well in advance about the looming water crisis in Bengaluru but acting against the interests of the people by releasing water to Tamil Nadu only to please its alliance partner. (ANI)

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Bengaluru Cafe Blast: Manhunt Begins As Cops Trace Visuals of Suspect

The footage shows the alleged bomber wearing a white cap, grey shirt and black pants, carrying a dish at the Rameshwaram cafe before the blast.

 Karnataka Police have traced the visuals of the suspected bomber in the Bengaluru IED explosion case.

The police after obtaining the CCTV footage of the suspected bomber — with backpack allegedly carrying a bomb — have launched a manhunt for the accused in Mangaluru city, neighbouring Kerala and in Tamil Nadu.

The footage shows the alleged bomber wearing a white cap, grey shirt and black pants, carrying a dish at the Rameshwaram cafe before the blast.

In another video, the accused bomber is seen walking hurriedly on the road towards the cafe with the backpack.

The police said that they will nab the accused soon.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also chair a high-level meeting to discuss the security situation of the state.

On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the accused would be arrested in a few hours.

Karnataka State Police Chief Alok Mohan has said that central agencies the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) have been informed about the incident.

Sources said that the national agencies are assisting in the investigation.

The HAL police station has registered the case under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act.

The incident took place at the Rameshwaram Cafe on the Information Technology Park Limited (ITPL) Road in the Whitefield area between 12.50 p.m. and 1 p.m.

At least 10 persons, including hotel staff and customers, were injured in the incident.

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Business Tech Lite Technology

Digital Inclusion in Focus at Bengaluru Tech Summit

Tech leaders, startups, investors, and research labs from 30 plus countries are taking part in the summit between November 29 to December 1….reports Asian Lite News

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the prestigious Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 on Wednesday.

Speaking after inaugurating the 26th edition of the tech summit, Siddaramaiah stated, “The digital divide is a reality we must address, ensuring that the benefits of technology reach every citizen, regardless of their background.

“We aim to bridge this gap through targeted initiatives, utilising the power of data and analytics to drive informed decision-making in governance. Beyond Bengaluru is a unique initiative in that direction with the primary focus of developing and enhancing ecosystems in regions beyond Bengaluru and bridging the digital divide.”

“Our government is focused on building a seamless ecosystem that attracts investment, talent, and opportunities. We want Karnataka to be seen as the hub with an “end-to-end ecosystem” for innovating and growing businesses,” he stated.

Karnataka has been at the forefront of pioneering sector specific policies that have played a pivotal role in shaping our state’s trajectory towards progress. In 1997, we set a precedent by becoming the first state in the country to introduce a ground-breaking Information Technology Policy. Fast forward to today, and the IT sector stands as a cornerstone of our economy, contributing a substantial 25 per cent to our GDP, the CM explained.

Building on this legacy of innovation, Karnataka was also the pioneer in introducing a Biotech Policy in 2001. As we continue to champion advancements in biotechnology, I am thrilled to announce that a revised Biotech Policy is set to be unveiled at the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), he said.

“This vibrant industry has not only provided direct employment to over 12 lakh professionals but has also created a ripple effect, generating over 31 lakh indirect jobs. Karnataka’s share of software exports, nearly 40 per cent of the country’s total, solidifies its position as a global IT powerhouse,” Siddaramaiah stated.

The 26th Edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit is organised by Department of Electronics IT, BT, Software Technology Parks of India. The theme of the year is ‘Breaking Boundaries’.

Tech leaders, startups, investors, and research labs from 30 plus countries are taking part in the summit between November 29 to December 1.

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Business India News West Bengal

Bengaluru Leads with 1783 Women-Led Ventures

The funding landscape for women-led companies showed a significant surge in the number of rounds, rising from 171 in 2014 to 460 in 2022….reports Asian Lite News

Funding in women-led startups in India decreased from 183 startups in 2014 to a mere 7 this year to date, according to a new report.

The funding landscape for women-led companies showed a significant surge in the number of rounds, rising from 171 in 2014 to 460 in 2022.

However, there was a sharp decline in 2023, with the number of rounds dropping to 185, according to a report from leading market intelligence platform Tracxn.

Zomato, Byju’s Lenskart and Zerodha are among India’s top 10 women-led startups.

Data suggests that Bengaluru hosts a significant 1783 women-led startups, in stark contrast to Ahmedabad, which has a total of 181 women-led startups.

Meanwhile, India saw a third consecutive drop in tech funding in a quarter this year, with the July-September period (Q3) becoming the least-funded quarter in the last five years.

Q3 2023 saw a significant drop in funding, with a total of $1.5 billion raised, marking a 29 per cent decrease from the previous quarter and a staggering 54 per cent decline compared to Q3 2022, according to Tracxn.

Late-stage rounds witnessed a 33 per cent reduction, while early-stage and seed-stage funding plummeted by 74 per cent and 75 per cent, respectively, compared to the same quarter last year.

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Pro-Palestine protests in Delhi, Bengaluru

Relatives of Palestinian young man Ahmed Al-Shenbari mourn during his funeral in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, May 11, 2021. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua/IANS)

The Delhi police said that they had detained around 60 people for not taking prior permission for the protest, reported news agency PTI…reports Asian Lite News

Over a thousand Palestine supporters formed a human chain and took out a candlelight march at the heart of Bengaluru on Monday to express solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

Several civil society groups including Bahutva Karnataka and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, which gathered near the MG Road metro station to form the human chain, condemned the “genocide” carried out by the Israeli forces. They had planned to gather at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre on MG Road to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict and “debunk fake news spread by the mainstream media” about it. But the Cubbon Park police detained the activists from the boulevards of MG Road.

However, by 6 pm, hundreds of Palestine supporters gathered near the MG Road metro station and took out a candlelight march towards the Anil Kumble Circle. The police, who were outnumbered by the protesters, allowed the solidarity march.

Dozens detained in Delhi

Meanwhile, at least 60 people, including students, were detained in the Indian capital city of New Delhi for organising a pro-Palestinian demonstration demanding diplomatic support for Palestine and denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza, on Monday.

The Delhi police said that they had detained around 60 people for not taking prior permission for the protest, reported news agency PTI. The demonstration was held by the CPI (ML)-backed All India Students Association (AISA) and other student organisations.

According to reports, the protesters, most of them students and teachers from Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, took to Jantar Mantar and started raising slogans ‘Justice for Palestine,’ and ‘Gaza we are with you.’

“We are holding a demonstration and demanding diplomatic support for Palestine and actions against Israel, for violating human rights,” said Hemant, one of the demonstrators.

Subsequently, the Delhi police rounded the protesters up in buses and took them to an undisclosed location. The AISA has since released a statement demanding their release.

The CPI (ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also visited the Palestine Embassy to express solidarity on behalf of the Indian people, in New Delhi, on Monday.

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Business Tech Lite Technology

Bengaluru Startups Embrace Co-Working

As the trend is catching up, entrepreneurs are also explaining that co-working spaces are also helping in crucial networking…reports Asian Lite News

IT city Bengaluru, which is hailed as a cradle of startups, is witnessing a trend of startups opting for more flexible offices known as co-working spaces.

The demand for co-working spaces 2023 is increasing in the city. Bengaluru houses the world’s largest co-working campus in HSR Layout.  

Flexible offices or co-working spaces are coming in handy for startups as they save a huge investment of renting, leasing or purchasing the office space. They provide office space as per the requirement, budget and time.

As the trend is catching up, entrepreneurs are also explaining that co-working spaces are also helping in crucial networking.

Co-working presents flexibility in terms of leasing contracts and a variety of options. Geographic flexibility is also a significant asset as co-working spaces are available in premium and easily accessible locations.

Startups can be free of such administrative and operative functions and focus on business.

Hence, co-working can complement the flexibility they desire. Not just processes, but co-working can also substantially reduce the initial costs associated with traditional office leases, rent, utilities, maintenance, and office furnishings.

Ashish Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of Enzyme Office Space talking to IANS stated, “The rising demand for flexible offices in India, driven by changing work habits and the growth of startups and freelancers, has made Bengaluru the top city with 39 per cent of operational flex space since 2018, followed by Delhi NCR at 17 per cent.”

Membership plans enable startups to pay only for needed space, reducing leasing and maintenance costs. Co-working spaces bring professionals from various fields together, fostering networking, collaboration, and potential partnerships, he stated.

Ashish Agarwal further explained that startups often begin in co-working spaces for flexibility and transition to private offices as they expand. These offerings make co-working spaces popular for freelancers, startups, remote workers, and established businesses seeking flexible workspaces.

Shesh Paplikar, Founder and CEO of BHIVE Workspace, which established a huge co-working space on the upscale Church Street in Bengaluru recently, explained to IANS, in terms of demand 2022 saw a significant surge in signups because of pent-up demand and 2020 and 2021 were slow. Once the pandemic was contained many organisations wanted to return to office. 2023 is also witnessing a lot of new supply in the co-working industry.

However, the demand has been slightly on the slower side in 2023 when compared to 2022, which was phenomenally good, so overall it seems slightly muted. Having said that, there are still a lot of good, stable companies that are expanding, he opined.

Startups are a bit more cautious at the moment as there is a funding winter. If their burn rate is very high, they are being forced to reduce the burn rate before they can raise more money, which is also leading to a standstill in hiring or layoffs. On the brighter side of things, a lot of global companies are still hiring in India though they are laying off resources abroad. So, the industry is still optimistic about the demand in 2023, Shesh Paplikar explained.

In general, using co-working space increases the agility of any company, not just a startup. However, given that startups usually want to be more agile, scale up or down, pivot around, change strategies, etc., he states.

BHIVE also has the world’s largest co-working campus, the BHIVE HSR Campus in Bengaluru. Inspired by Google, BHIVE created a world-class office space that offers additional amenities such as cricket, football, basketball, gym, etc., beyond just office spaces. BHIVE also organises a lot of startup-related events, seminars, networking, investor meets and mentorship programs that add value to the startup ecosystem, Shesh Paplikar states.

Sumit Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO, of Simply Vyapar Apps Pvt Ltd stated, “Co-working spaces are always the first preference for any startup as it gives flexibility with customization whenever needed and secondly scalability. Having its own space means huge cash flow which otherwise can be utilised for business expansion.

“We started with 150 seats from Enzyme initially. The way they have curated the space keeping in mind our smallest of the requirements, makes the team unique in terms of delivering as committed. Ashish has been very supportive and accommodating in our journey of scaling from 150 to 1,500 seats to date and more to come in future.”

Natasha Gupta, Founder and CEO, Story Brews Communication, said, “Cost effective conveniences and flexibility are the key reasons why startups prefer co-working spaces over traditional office rentals. Since, as a startup, we have a hybrid work model in place and we operate in a fast-paced environment, a co-working set-up is not only a great enabler but also provides the right platform to connect, collaborate and be productive.”

“These workspaces offer a one-stop solution with tech-enabled meeting rooms, clean work areas, fresh coffee, housekeeping, etc., the primary things which startups need to function and operate daily. Over and above the co-working spaces are melting pots of like-minded people that create a perfect atmosphere for startups to network,” Natasha Gupta says.

“Besides, startups like us, who operate with a lean team, find the tailor-made and customization features of co-working beneficial since we get the freedom of choosing the exact number of seats we want, with the provision to expand at any given point in time.”

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Business India News

Foxconn buys more land in Bengaluru

Foxconn.(photo:Foxconn)

The news has come as a shot in the arm to the ruling BJP ahead of crucial Assembly elections scheduled on May 10…reports Asian Lite News

Foxconn, the world’s biggest contract electronics manufacturer and assembler of iPhones, has bought a huge tract of land on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The key Apple supplier has stated this in its filing at London Stock Exchange. The news has come as a shot in the arm to the ruling BJP ahead of crucial Assembly elections scheduled on May 10.

Investment by Foxconn in the state had run into controversy following the opposition parties questioning ruling BJP and calling it a publicity stunt.

The ruling BJP had announced the establishment of an iPhone assembling unit by Foxconn in Bengaluru. Later, the claim was disputed by the company.

An embarrassed Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had released the letter of appreciation by Foxconn to defend against the attacks by the opposition.

According to latest reports, the company made the statement in this regard at London Stock Exchange. According to the statement, the 1.2 million square metre (13 million square foot) plot has been acquired near Devanahalli located close to Bengaluru International Airport. According to sources, the land was bought for Rs 106.24 crores.

This is seen as part of the company’s strategy to look for alternative production destinations away from China following rigid Covid rules, the sources said.

The Karnataka State High-Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) had approved Foxconn investment proposal in March. The company proposed to manufacture mobile devices.

The official statement from the Large and Medium Industries Ministry said that Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Private Ltd (FHH) would invest Rs 8,000 crore with employment opportunities for 50,000 people.

The delegation led by Foxconn CEO and Chairman Young Liu had visited the state and held a meeting with Bommai in Bengaluru. The appreciation letter released by CM’s office was written by Foxconn CEO to Bommai and termed their visit a great success.

JD-S leader and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy had asked the ruling BJP to clarify whether the announcement regarding Foxconn by the Chief Minister was a publicity stunt or if any MOU was signed.

He had earlier maintained that the Karnataka BJP government had the policy of maximum publicity and zero result policy.

“Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and two other ministers took free publicity by stating that iPhone manufacturer Foxconn company from Taiwan has come to the state for investment. They held the signed letters in their hands stating the MOU had been signed and posed before the media,” Kumaraswamy had stated.

The Taiwanese company, on the other hand, told the media that there are no definitive agreements made to invest in Karnataka. At this, Kumaraswamy had said that if this is the case, what really happened in the presence of CM Bommai and demanded the government clarify the matter.

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Yellen meets Indian IT bosses in Bengaluru

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds a meeting with the Chief of Indian IT Companies, in Bengaluru on Saturday. Wipro chairman Rishad Premji, Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani, IBM India managing director Sandip Patel and others also present. (ANI Photo)

Janet Yellen said the US was advancing an approach called “friend-shoring” to bolster the resilience of its supply chains, reports Asian Lite News

US Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen on Saturday held a meeting with the chief of various IT companies like Infosys Technologies Limited Nandan Nilekani, Wipro’s head Nishad Premji and others in Bengaluru.

Yellen, who arrived in India for the G20 Finance Ministers meet, had addressed the roundtable with US and Indian tech business leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in southern Bengaluru city on Saturday. Yellen, in the roundtable meeting, said that under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and investment (PGII), the US announced investments in agri-tech to enable climate-smart agricultural production, and in digital payments systems for microentrepreneurs.

Yellen said going forward, “I am eager to deepen our ties in the technology sector.” She said the US was advancing an approach called “friend-shoring” to bolster the resilience of its supply chains.

The treasury secretary said, “We are doing this by strengthening integration with our many trusted trading partners — including India. We are seeing progress; as an example; technology companies like Apple and Google have expanded their phone production in India.”

Yellen said through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), the US is investing in digital technologies that will drive inclusive and resilient growth in India.

She said these stand alongside investments in renewable energy, health and other infrastructure sectors in India. Overall, the United States aims to mobilise USD 200 billion through 2027 for PGII, and we look forward to partnering with India to continue investing in its future, the US treasury secretary said in a statement released on Saturday morning.

Yellen said one of the most rewarding parts of my job is meeting with innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders across the globe and this is especially true in India, which has one of the most dynamic economies in the world.

Yellen said the US is India’s biggest trading partner. She said in 2021, bilateral trade between the two countries was over USD 150 billion.

US Treasury Secretary meets with Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Bengaluru on the sidelines of G20 meet.

“Our people-to-people ties affirm the closeness of our relationship. 200,000 Indians are studying in America and enriching our schools and universities,” she said.

Yellen said, “We depend on each other on a daily basis: Indians use WhatsApp to communicate and many American companies rely on Infosys to operate.” (ANI)

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Bengaluru  to host G20 finance ministers meet

The meeting of central bank deputies will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for information and broadcasting and youth affairs and sports Anurag Thakur…reports Asian Lite News

The first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under India’s G20 Presidency is scheduled to be held during February 24-25 in Bengaluru.

The meeting will be jointly chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. “The first G20 FMCBG meeting under the G20 India’s Presidency will see the participation of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 members, invitee members and heads of International Organizations. In total, there will be 72 delegations attending the meeting,” economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth told ANI.

The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting will be preceded by a meeting of G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) on February 22, 2023, co-chaired by Ajay Seth, Secretary (Economic Affairs) and Michael D Patra, Deputy Governor at RBI.

The meeting of central bank deputies will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for information and broadcasting and youth affairs and sports Anurag Thakur.

Seth added that India’s G20 Presidency has designed the meeting agenda in a manner that can foster a meaningful exchange of ideas on pragmatic and meaningful approaches to address key global economic issues.

Explaining about the meeting, the secretary said it will be spread over three sessions, covering issues such as strengthening multilateral development banks to address shared global challenges of the 21st century, financing for resilient, inclusive and sustainable ‘cities of tomorrow’, leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains.

“The sessions will also cover issues related to global economy, global health, and international taxation,” he said, adding that the discussions in the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting are intended to provide a clear mandate for the various workstreams of the G20 Finance Track in 2023.

Also, a number of side events have been planned for the visiting delegates, on subjects such as Digital Public Infrastructure, Policy Perspectives on Crypto Assets and the role of National Payment Systems in Cross Border Payments on the sidelines of the main meeting.

A ‘Ratri Bhoj Par Samvad’ and specially curated cultural programmes will also be organized for the Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors and their delegations which will showcase India’s diverse cuisines and culture.

“For the welcome of ministers, governors, deputies and delegates, we have organised cultural programmes showcasing India’s rich cultural odyssey across Karnataka. Karnataka is a land renowned for its deep-rooted cultural and artistic heritage with diverse forms of arts and crafts. The performances will reflect the artistry and splendour of Karnataka’s cultural ethos and legacy,” he added.

A special event titled Walk the Talk: Policy in Action is also being organized, during which the Ministers and Governors will visit the Indian Institute of Science to engage with tech-innovators and entrepreneurs who are working on affordable and scalable solutions to some of the challenges being faced by G20 member countries. (ANI)

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Kerala Sport Sports

Bengaluru FC surge to 5th place with 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters

ISL 2022-23: Bengaluru FC surge to fifth place with 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC

Roy Krishna netted his fifth goal of the season as the Blues jumped from seventh to fifth on the table, and a point clear of FC Goa and Odisha FC….reports Asian Lite News

Bengaluru FC extended their winning streak to six games in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 after a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Kerala Blasters at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here on Saturday.

Roy Krishna netted his fifth goal of the season as the Blues jumped from seventh to fifth on the table, and a point clear of FC Goa and Odisha FC.

An electric atmosphere engulfed the venue with several away fans in attendance fueling a high-octane encounter between two strong sides. Opportunities came at both ends in the initial stages of the first half. Dimitrios Diamantakos failed to hit the target from a promising Sahal Samad cross at one end, while Sandesh Jhinghan rattled the crossbar from a Javi Hernandez free-kick at the other.

The Blasters kept more of the ball, but the Blues fired more shots at goal and eventually drew first blood just after the half-hour mark. Hernandez was the provider as he slid a clever ball through to Krishna down the right flank. Under pressure from Ruivah Hormipam, the Fijian outmuscled the defender and made his way into the box before slotting it past Prabhsukhan Gill at the near-post from a tight angle.

Five minutes from the break, Hernandez had an opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet when he dodged the offside trap and brought a long ball down deftly right in front of goal. However, Gill pounced on the ball before the Spaniard could adjust his footing and get a shot away.

Kerala Blasters started the second half on the front foot. Adrian Luna’s cross from the right flank was just behind Diamantakos and was cleared to safety. Cheeky flicks were on display from Luna as the Blasters pushed forward repeatedly, getting thwarted by the staunch Bengaluru FC defence on almost every occasion. Samad attempted to find the far post on a couple of occasions, but both his efforts went wide.

Around the hour-mark, Bengaluru FC applied pressure on the Blasters. Roshan Naorem cut in from the left flank and tried to catch Gill on the wrong foot with a shot at the near post. However, the Blasters’ shot-stopper was quick to palm it out for a corner.

The Blasters huffed and puffed in the final few minutes of the game but could not do anything to correct their record at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the ISL.

Having set up their longest winning streak in ISL history, Bengaluru FC will play the newly crowned league winners Mumbai City FC next on February 15 to try and solidify their playoff chances.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters are yet to confirm their playoff qualification this season and will have a chance to do that in their next game against ATK Mohun Bagan on February 18.

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