Former national and Mohammedan central defender Jewel Rana makes his final bow to the passionate football fans during the Dhaka derby at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Jewel called its quits from competitive football recently marking the end of his luminous career spanning over two decades.Photo: STAR

Former national football captain Jewel Rana hanged up his boots yesterday when he played his last domestic match as Mohammedan captain.
Jewel, a centre-back, was on the pitch as a rightback for just 25 minutes before the Mohammedan captain was replaced during their B. League match against Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
"It is an honour for me to go out like this. Not every player gets this chance to retire from the field," said an emotionally charged Jewel, who led Bangladesh to win their only gold medal in the SAF Games, in 1999 in Kathmandu.
Jewel, who began his career in the first division in 1988, got a national call in the next year and quit from international football after the SAF Games triumph.
He also won domestic league titles for Mohammedan, Muktijoddha and Brothers Union but his only regret is to not have played for Abahani.
"I have come this far for dedication and hard work. These are the assets of a footballer," said Jewel, who was given a warm farewell by his team and the oppositions, who embraced the great defender on the pitch after the assistant referee signalled his substitution.
Jewel was also showered with flowers during his last walk off a football pitch.