Jamshedpur, August 22: Jayesh Rane was left awestruck by the sea of support at the Furnace during the Men of Steel’s matches at the Furnace, calling the atmosphere “special”.

The midfielder admitted the roar of the JRD Tata Sports Complex gave the team an extra push in the Durand Cup campaign and especially in the quarterfinal match, where Jamshedpur created more than enough chances to turn the tide but lacked the finishing touch. “It’s always a special feeling when we play here. The fans’ support is what keeps us going, and the quarterfinals we really felt that energy,” Rane said.

The Men of Steel started on the back foot with an early goal against them, but they refused to drop their heads. Wave after wave of attacks came, led by Jayesh Rane, Sanan, and Praful, only to be denied by either narrow misses or the heroics of the opposition goalkeeper. The crowd, however, never wavered, urging their side forward with every move.

Rane acknowledged the frustration of the result but credited the effort of his teammates. “Yes, it was frustrating, but that’s football. They took the chances they got, and we couldn’t. The message was to fight till the end, and that’s exactly what we did,” he explained.

The midfielder, who has settled quickly into the squad, added that there’s plenty to look forward to in the season ahead. “I think I’ve adjusted well, but we still have work to do. With the way the team is shaping up, I’m sure we’ll achieve what we want in the upcoming season,” he said.

Jamshedpur may be out of the Durand Cup, but the biggest takeaway on the night was the bond between the team and its supporters. As Rane discovered for the first time in Jamshedpur colours, there’s something about the Furnace that makes every game feel bigger than just football.