 At the start of the 2011–12 season, Van der Wiel scored Ajax's fifth goal�—during injury time—in a 5–1 win over Heerenveen on 14 August 2011.He continued to feature in the starting lineup as right-back, despite competition from Ricardo van Rhijn.This lasted until he was sent-off for handball in the second half of a 1–0 loss against Groningen on 1 October 2011.