Bangladesh's preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers have been thrown into uncertainty on the eve of the team's departure for Uzbekistan, with the federation's decision to cancel a scheduled press conference fuelling speculation that head coach Gerard Jones could be on his way out.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B alongside hosts Uzbekistan, India and Syria in the qualifiers for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup following the draw held at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.