SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - The recently ended World Cup qualifying campaign was too short for El Salvador and, without a doubt, a disappointment for a young team.

After a draw at Costa Rica on the opening date of CONCACAF semifinal qualifying, the Cuscatlecos found themselves in a promising position. But a tie at home against Guyana and an eventual narrow defeat in San Salvador at the hands of Costa Rica proved too much to overcome.

Nevertheless, the 2013 Copa Centroamericana has provided evidence that La Selecta's future is more brilliant than its immediate past, since head coach Agustin Castillo has used the event to provide debuts for several promising young players.

The renewal in El Salvador's ranks looks very bright indeed, taking into account the excellent play of forward Rafael Burgos, and a young midfield led by the duo of Darwin Ceren and Richard Menjivar.

Against regional powers with ample attacking options like Panama and Honduras - El Salvador's Group B opponents - Castillo has elected to go with a dual-holding midfielder lineup. Ceren and Menjivar, however, have proven to be more than just ball winners in helping the Cuscatlecos to their somewhat unexpected qualification to the event's semifinal round.

"We combine with Richard, one marks and the other one generates plays, and when the other marks the other one generates," explained Ceren. "We're mixed players, we team up well and we've gotten the message of the coach."

An important part of Castillo's strategy, the precise passing and offensive projection of the midfielders, has been crucial in creating opportunities for Burgos and the overall Salvadoran attack.

In that way, the pairing of Ceren and Menjivar in midfield has played a key role in the attractive, if pragmatic, football displayed by El Salvador - compact, but always with a hint of offensive projection. The good results to date are also due in part to the excellent understanding between the two, since the midfielders play very similar roles alongside each other, and must be in sync for the scheme to work.

"The truth is we have very similar roles," Ceren said. "The professor decides how to field us, and we're appreciative of the opportunity."

Building on the base of that midfield industry, El Salvador managed to navigate the group stage undefeated, and - with a little help from the draw for second place with Panama - book a semifinal date with host Costa Rica.

Now, as the young team finds its rhythm, the future of La Selecta suddenly looks much more positive, promising Salvadoran fans good days to come. In fact, if the midfield continues to produce in the short term, those sunnier days could be on their way as soon as this weekend in San Jose.