Mohammed Jewel Rana

Mohammed Jewel Rana is a retired Bangladeshi professional footballer who played as a center-back. He served as captain of the Bangladesh national team from 1997 to 1999.

Early career

Jewel was born on 2 May 1968 in Dhanmondi area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. His formed a passion for football while studying at West Dhanmondi Yousuf High School, and eventually began his football career playing for a team called East Bengal in the Pioneer League in 1984. Although he only made one appearance in his debut season due to sickness, he was a regular face in the team, which also included Saiful Bari Titu, from the following season. Jewel began playing in the Third Division with a different East Bengal from 1986, and helped the club win the league in his debut season. Following a season representing the club in the Second Division, he joined Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in the First Division in 1988 under the recommendation of the club's winger, Zia Babu.

Club career

In the top-tier of football, Jewel had an illustrious career spanning over two decades, representing clubs such as Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Dhaka Mohammedan and Brothers Union. He was an integral part of the Muktijoddha team that secured their maiden Premier Division title in the 1997–98 season. Additionally, he won league titles with Dhaka Mohammedan in 1993 and again as captain in 1996, as well as with Brothers Union in 2005. Notably, Jewel also represented Brothers Union in the 2005 AFC Cup.
Beyond Dhaka, Jewel also played in India, representing Kolkata Mohammedan during the 1991 season, alongside compatriots like Imtiaz Sultan Johnny, Kaiser Hamid and Sayeed Hassan Kanan. Following an impressive but unsuccessful 1999–2000 Asian Club Championship campaign with Muktijoddha, he joined Mohun Bagan and competed in tournaments such as the Calcutta League, Durand Cup and IFA Shield.
Jewel retired on 24 January 2009, after representing Dhaka Mohammedan in the Dhaka derby against Dhaka Abahani in the 2008–09 B.League. During the match, Jewel, a central defender, was played as a right-back for 25 minutes before being substituted during which he received a standing ovation from both fans and opposition players.

International career

Jewel represented Bangladesh at youth level in the qualifiers of both the 1988 AFC U-16 Championship and 1990 AFC Youth Championship. Additionally, he was part of the Bangladesh Green team at the 1989 President's Gold Cup. He also participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's Asian Qualifiers, during which he scored an own goal in a 0−4 defeat to Thailand U23.
Following his performance for the Bangladesh Green team in the President's Gold Cup, Jewel was included in the Bangladesh national team for the 1989 South Asian Games held in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, he did not make a single appearance during the tournament. He debuted for the national team on 24 December 1991, against Pakistan at the Sugathadasa Stadium during the 1991 South Asian Games. He also represented the national team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, 1993 South Asian Games, 1995 South Asian Gold Cup and [Football at the Football at the 1995 South Asian Games|1995 South Asian Games|1995 South Asian Games].
On 18 March 1997, he scored his first international goal against Chinese Taipei at the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. During the qualifiers he also scored against Saudi Arabia, in a match which saw Bangladesh lose 4–1, even after putting up a good fight. During the qualifiers he served as the national team captain following the retirement of Monem Munna. Jewel also captained Bangladesh during their disappointing 1997 SAFF Gold Cup campaign. He remained captain during the 1999 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal and guided Bangladesh to their maiden gold medal. During the tournament he scored against both Maldives and Sri Lanka. He announced his retirement from international football following the tournament.

Coaching career

On 22 May 2014, Jewel was appointed caretaker head coach of his former club, Dhaka Mohammedan, following the departure of Portuguese coach, Rui Capela, and remained incharge for two games.