It is a truly insane, convoluted mess of a ritual IMO.
I have a bunch of female friends and I know, because they I've told me (I think, since I am not dating material to them they see me as less) that they could never be with me. I never met their friends, they wouldn't give me a place to stay if I asked... But compared to the other friends I have had, they are the best ones so far... (and they say they miss me...)
I think they do miss me and think I am a friend, but they, like many, many people, are just crappy friends.
I myself have never heard of two friends becoming a couple, and everyone I have ever asked about dating has told me to never befriend them before hand, cause they will just "friendzone" you, especially if you are poor with dating and flirting and the like to begin.