Pablo Aguilar believes that Paraguay's stature in South American football has already been raised by their performances at the Copa America 2015.
Under the stewardship of Gerardo Martino, Paraguay were runners-up in Argentina four years ago - losing 3-0 in the final to Uruguay - but failed to build on that and missed out on a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Ramon Diaz's Paraguay will face Martino's Argentina in the semi-finals in Concepcion on Tuesday.
"I think that this group has put the name of Paraguay up high - we are among the best four," Aguilar told a news conference.
"Although many did not believe in us we achieved our objectives, are still alive and will continue this way."
Diaz's men eliminated Brazil on penalties in their quarter-final, with Aguilar and Bruno Valdez both picking up yellow cards in the process.
"In my case I never think about whether I am a booking away from a suspension. I do not think about the next game, I think about the present," Aguilar added.
"Against Argentina we must go out and play as equals, like we did against Brazil."
"We do not want to suffer like in the first half against Argentina. We must apply pressure and be organised," he said.
"We have joy [after winning] and sadness at the death of the family member of Derlis Gonzalez, but he knows he has our support."
