I think it's possible.
But not just "Hey, how are you? What is your name? Let's be friends!" because friendship like that will last not so long.
If man and woman know each other at long time, they can have a strong and reliable relationship I think.
And the point is to be honest with your partner and with you: if you want your friend be your boyfriend or girlfriend in future, if you like him\her, if you love or want him\her, you shouldn't start that so-called friendship. It wil give you disappointment and nothing more I think.