The build-up to Saturday’s encounter was filled with emotion, with boss Brian Barry-Murphy highlighting the importance of a fitting performance as they marked the Aberfan disaster of 1966.
In the week before facing Birmingham, the Cardiff City squad and management visited Aberfan, taking in the graveyard where 116 children and 28 adults who died in the catastrophe are buried.
Salech said: “First of all, I wasn’t really educated or aware of this historic event before this week, but Brian and all of the staff of the club have informed us on Monday and we’ve seen almost a whole movie about it and also spoken between players.”
He added: “It was very emotional to get out there and see the memorial and speak to people who were involved and who were there that day that happened and speaking about their beloved ones and classmates and family members and everything.
“And obviously I think it had a big impact on us on Tuesday and towards the build up towards the game… it seemed as though there was that little bit extra bite in every tackle, every chase for the ball.
“That comes from a team doing well anyway, but I just thought if that had played a little bit into it, it could have.”