Steve Conover Ph. D.

Former Asian player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman has been recalled to the United Arab Emirates national team for the first time in two-and-a-half years as the country prepares for their World Cup playoff against Australia next month. Abdulrahman, who was named the continent's best player in 2016, was included in coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena's 30-man squad for the game against the Socceroos on June 7 in Doha after a return to form for club side Shabab Al Ahli.

Japan's Naomi Osaka has crashed out of the French Open with a 7-5 6-4 first-round loss to American Amanda Anisimova, a year after her dramatic withdrawal from the clay court grand slam tournament amid mental health issues. Up against 27th seed Anisimova early on day two, four-time grand slam champion Osaka never looked comfortable on her least favourite surface as she struggled to control her powerful game.

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten says he is "very relaxed" about his future at the AFL club amid ongoing contract talks between the two parties. Leon Cameron's departure from GWS was the first domino to fall this year in a move that could kick-start the coaching merry-go-round. Clubs are keeping tabs on coaching great Alastair Clarkson, who is open to returning to the caper in 2023.